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Health & Fitness

Women Cracking the Glass Ceiling

This post looks at four women within the government and their experience with sexism.

After hearing that over 90 women will occupy the 113th Congress, my excitement could not be contained.

These women have their own experiences which will help them create or continue to carry out the legislation they see fit for our country.

With more women in our legislative branch, I believe that women's issues are going to get more attention and potentially more consideration from the males in congress.

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I learned about gender discrimination at a young age and because it existed at that time, I truly believed that maybe women are incompetent to fill governmental roles.

Unfortunately, sexism is still present, but strong female leaders like Hillary Clinton believe women in the world should never give up, work hard and are capable of carrying a community or country on their backs.

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SNL's "Weekend Update" voiced Seth Meyers' opinion on the amount of women in the 113th congress.

"No one is happier about that than the pantsuit industry" Meyers said.

Was that a possible slam to Clinton's professional attire outside of her 2008 campaign? And although it can be taken as a humorous remark, could it have an underlying sexist meaning?

More obvious sexist comments haven't gone unnoticed in this year's race for congress.

Missouri's newly elected democratic senator Claire McCaskill, was called "unladylike" by Republican incumbent Todd Akin. He said that she acted more like a lady in past debates against Jim Talent (R).

Ladylike? Does that mean less aggressive compared to a man or less assertive, Mr. Akin?

Tommy Thompson is also no stranger to remarks like these. He called his opponent Tammy Baldwin (D), who won the senate seat in Wisconsin, "ill-equipped" because of her sexual preference.

Tammy Baldwin made history by being the first woman elected to the U.S Senate in Wisconsin and she is also the first openly gay senator.

Baldwin could potentially make big things happen for America's future.

The Defense of Marriage Act is up for review by the Supreme Court on Nov. 30. However, if the justices cannot decide, the date will be pushed back. If pushed back enough, hopefully Baldwin could have powerful influence on the outcome.

Republican Representative candidate for the 2nd Congressional District in Arizona, Martha McSally was also targeted as a stereotypical "woman in the kitchen."

(Take a look at the uploaded video to see Nancy Pelosi's PAC attack ad, "Recipe for Disaster" towards McSally). 

Personally, I hate stereotypes. 

Regardless if someone is gay or if they're male or female, they shouldn't be discriminated because of it. 

Everyone is still human and focusing on Tammy Baldwin being openly gay has nothing to do with her position in government or competency to serve.

No matter what party these women are affiliated with, I'm confident that they will do great things for our country.

 

For further reading on women in congress: "Political Winners Include Women Immigrants" and "2012 election boosts ranks of women in Congress"

 

*Rosie the Riveter photo credit: Google
*Hillary Clinton photo credit: Google
*Tammy Baldwin photo credit

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