With the election rapidly approaching,
those of us who'd like to see more women in political office have an
opportunity to get involved and make a difference. Get out and
support women candidates by donating to their campaigns, putting up
signs, soliciting voter support, working the phones, vocally
advocating women candidates at work and among friends, working the
polls on election day, and, of course, voting for woman candidates.
Women should see to it that their men get involved and support woman
candidates. We feel by helping women attain political power men can
atone for centuries of patriarchy that have limited women.
Nancy and I are active in a local
feminist group that always campaigns for women. We not only support
campaigns but encourage women to step forward as candidates and run
for office. We have had numerous successes over the years with local
and regional campaigns. Our most recent success was in mobilizing
women to elect a female majority to both our school board and town
council; after the next election this majority is expected to grow to
an all woman membership as well as a woman mayor. How did we do
this? By mobilizing women to come out and vote for change by
electing women and by these women 'suggesting' that their men support
the slate of female candidates, too.
Nancy enlists me to work the campaigns
of specific female candidates. She runs a tight ship and home and
insists that I keep up my domestic routine but at election time I get
some leeway to allow me to fully participate in campaigning. For men who
are new to FLRs or only exploring one, getting involved on behalf of a
woman candidate will provide an opportunity to work with assertive and
determined women.
There is a saying regarding the
initiation of political change, 'think globally; act locally'. By
electing women to local office we drive positive change and lay a
foundation for women and their matriarchal values to attain higher
office.
Nancy and I are active in a local
feminist group that always campaigns for women. We not only support
campaigns but encourage women to step forward as candidates and run
for office. We have had numerous successes over the years with local
and regional campaigns. Our most recent success was in mobilizing
women to elect a female majority to both our school board and town
council; after the next election this majority is expected to grow to
an all woman membership as well as a woman mayor. How did we do
this? By mobilizing women to come out and vote for change by
electing women and by these women 'suggesting' that their men support
the slate of female candidates, too.
10 comments:
Your vision of matriarchy sounds like the mirror image of the patriarchy you so despise. Real change comes not from promoting one gender as superior to another but recognising the sacredness of every human being be they man, woman, black, white etc.
Where I live we've had three women serve as mayor, one with a female majority on the City Council. Personalities, ambitions, and views still matter with women just as with men. We've had elections for mayor and for legislature where both candidates were women.
We've had a lot of female political leadership in in this area both in elected office and on political committees. While it adds some perspective on issues, it doesn't change the basic nature of politics.
Both the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the Green Party are women- both very intelligent and progressive.
Anonymous said...
If you want to vote for Women in the US, then vote Green. Jill Stein is their presidential candidate, and Cheri Honkala
is the vice presidential candidate. For more
info:
http://www.jillstein.org/
Emilyslist raises funds for Women candidates
http://emilyslist.org/
Also promoting Women candidates
http://www.sheshouldrun.org/
Yes, we agree that politics comes with its own rules and realities. In our situation we had a dysfunctional board and we had to break the deadlocks. The women who were elected did this. There was much more dialogue and desire to compromise than with the prior male group.
Women do bring different perspectives and values and these are very welcome. We believe that if there is going to be political discourse then women should have a significant voice in it...
Oh I heartily agree! Whenever there is a REPUBLICAN woman running, I am more than happy to vote for her.
Best,
Jake
Jake -
Our efforts are focused on getting women actively involved in government and in the political dialog. We've worked with and for women of both the major political parties as well as independent and third party candidates. Women bring a new perspective and, in our experience, seem to be more open to compromise.
Uh, don't you think the candidates POSITIONS trump his/her sex?! Voting based on whether they are a man or woman is pretty foolish.
Locked Husband, You are correct, a candidate's positions are important; I'd hardly vote for a woman who, if elected, would act to roll back the gains of women that feminism has won them. On the other hand, getting as many women onto the ballet by recruiting qualified women candidates is beneficial to all. Our efforts are to support the recruitment of women candidates and help with their campaigns. Yes, politics is a tough game but our experience is that women bring a great deal to political deliberations including their business acumen, perspectives, and willingness to collaborate.
It's too bad there is no female presidential candidate this election season. Makes not to even want to vote for a president.
Post a Comment