IOP Fellows talk about female political roles

Women are just as capable as men, proclaimed participants at last night's Institute of Politics (IOP) discussion on "Women in Political Parties: Two Perspectives from Two States."

And those who came to discuss the topic proved their superior ability to handle any unsuspected challenges when they arrived to speak and found an Expository Writing 20 course holding a viewing of "Lawrence of Arabia" in the originally scheduled room, Harvard Hall 102.

Undeterred from the task at hand, the two speakers, Barbara M. Barrett and Myrth York, traveled with 15 students and several boxes of pizza to the Straus Common Room to hold their discussion on the role of women in politics.

"It's one more demonstration of our 'nimbility.' We roll with the punches and make do with what we've got," said Barrett, Republican candidate for Arizona governor in 1994 and IOP fellow.

Barrett and York, an IOP fellow who was the Democratic nominee for governor of Rhode Island in 1994 and 1998, shared their experiences dealing with politics in their respective states.

Lack of equality is still the greatest obstacle for women involved in politics, York said.

"There's still a long way for women to go as equals in the political establishment," York said. "Power has to be taken away from someone who already has it."

Still, York cautioned that people should not vote for a woman without considering her political views.

York said the word "woman" often becomes shorthand for "change."

"'I do bring a different perspective, but I don't think that's the reason to vote for somebody," York said. "Ideology, what someone stands for, is more important than gender."

York stressed that women are as capable as men in any field, but that they are often treated differently.

"Appearance is much more important [for women]," York said. "They talk about the color of your outfit. They talk constantly about your hairstyle."

She related an incident when one of her earrings popped off in the middle of a televised debate. As she managed to slip the other one out of her ear when the camera was off her, she said she realized that was a problem a man would have never had.

Barrett also shared a tale of the media treating her differently because of her gender. When appearing on a radio talk show once, the host referred to her as "Madonna-like," a phrase she said she could not see anyone using to describe a man.

Barrett said it is women's responsibility to point out inequity and to prove that times have changed.

"In the 50s, there was the breadwinner and the little wife, but that's not the way it is anymore," Barrett said. "Don't buy that that's your role in life. Don't let it be that women are in subordinate roles."

Because of a history of domestic ties, women are often seen in homebound roles, York said.

Although she said this perception is changing, York added that women tend to allow men to take over.

"Generally, they are more conciliatory, collaborative by nature," York said. "Women have always struggled with taking credit for something they've done."

Barrett took time to boast of the history of female leadership and the current female-dominated executive branch in Arizona's state government. Women hold the positions of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer and school superintendent.

She also listed the vast number of foreign countries that have had female heads of state in recent years.

York said one of the biggest differences between the sexes lies in their views on career paths.

"Men know what they want and plan a life pattern to get there," York said. "Women tend to move one step at a time without having a lifetime goal or plan."

Another difficulty women face is reconciling children with a political career, York said. She added that men do not face the same sort of scrutiny in terms of their family life.

She said she attempted to shield her children from the media spotlight during her campaigns, a move that brought her criticism from people who thought she should have used her family more.

In the end, York said she thinks she has done a good job with the balancing act.

"Have I compromised my ability to be a mother? No. Do I regret some of the choices I have made? Yes," York said.