The National Organization for Women (NOW) Political Action Committee and the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee made a joint announcement endorsing Congresswoman Carolyn D. Maloney to take over Clinton’s seat.
Questions from the audience reflected a hunger to examine a wider range of issues. One frustrated attendee prefaced her query with, “Look how much time we’re spending on Sarah Palin, and what does it say with her as a choice?”
It goes without saying that Hillary Clinton’s historic run for the White House had a tremendous impact. Now, women are prepared to get into the driver’s seat and contribute a fresh take on a wide array of matters from equal pay and reproductive rights, to the economy and international affairs.
Augmenting McCain’s commitment to overturn Roe v. Wade, Palin ratcheted up the discourse with her position of no abortion exceptions in the case of rape or incest. “She can’t keep the women’s vote if they actually know what she is suggesting,” was the popular wisdom. Yet, there were a lot of female voters who weren’t clear about her record. That’s when a core group of women, using new media and an approach that has defined the 2008 election, jumped in to present another point of view.
Telling the audience, “I don’t fear being black or being female,” she identified herself as being willing and able to “tell the truth to power.”
In contrast to the narrative that has been promulgated about disgruntled Hillary supporters, the women I conversed with had moved on without trauma. Martha Baker, a consultant on work/family issues, was sporting a button that announced “Hillary Supports Obama, So Do I.”
Inevitably, during the Q & A, inquiries were posed about the latest polls and the Sarah Palin factor. Gandy replied that “polls will shift” when people find out more about Palin’s record. On an ironic note, Gandy opined, “I love it that the Republicans have discovered sexism. Before that…it was whining.”
Doesn’t anyone remember when John McCain made an ugly “joke” (that most newspapers wouldn’t print) about Hillary Clinton, Janet Reno, and Chelsea Clinton?
Hillary Clinton didn’t clinch the nomination, yet her impact on the process has been indisputable. There is a great deal for women to celebrate.
As the countdown to the conventions heats up, every day brings new numbers and polls about the impending election. One of the groups that will be a deciding factor in the selection of the next president, is women… who comprise more than half of the United States electorate.
"The Jump Rope Line" by Marcia G. Yerman is included in the Seal Press anthology Dancing at the Shame Prom.
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