Women Play Pivotal Role in U.S. Government Shutdown Negotiations

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the recent crisis Americans faced with a 16-day partial government shutdown due to internal strife between two opposing political parties. A few days before the president signed the bill that would avert a catastrophic treasury default, The New York Times reported that a bi-partisan group of women was leading the charge in negotiation between the Republican and Democratic factions to end this crisis. 

The Huffington Post reported in an article, titled "Men Got Us Into the Shutdown, Women Got Us Out", that six out of the 14 senators on the bipartisan committee who laid the framework for the debt deal were women.

“Before I went to the Senate floor, no one was presenting any way out,” Senator Susan Collins of Maine said. “I think what our group did was pave the way, and I’m really happy about that.”

This group of women, who are credited with essentially bringing America back from the brink of destruction (not to be dramatic or anything, but it would have been BAD), were able to overcome their differences when the men in their parties couldn't. Even as our society and many parts of the world continue to scoff at women who make their way in this male dominated profession, I think this most recent accomplishment proves why women are necessary in political positions of power if a country- any country- hopes to be able to effectively resolve internal differences. Meeting aggression with aggression oftentimes only exacerbates an already precarious situation, as seen by the attempts during the shutdown of certain male leaders to bring forth plans that would unfairly compromise and humiliate the other side. In scenarios as delicate as this (and it isn't over for us yet!) one cannot stress enough the importance of having leaders who are capable of both compassion and objective thinking.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that women were so heavily involved in trying to end this stalemate,” Collins added. “Although we span the ideological spectrum, we are used to working together in a collaborative way.” 

I think this example of women banding together to get the work done when others couldn't because of stubbornness, or sheer incompetency, is inspiring. Women around the world who hope to be politicians should look to these six for courage in the face of the doubters who say that women can't do the same job that a man can in politics. 

Actually, I take that back. 

You can tell the haters that they are right. Because in this case, and in many other cases, we have actually done it better.

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/us/senate-women-lead-in-effort-to-find-accord.html?_r=0

The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/shutdown-women_n_4110268.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women

By Sabrina Willard

An Introduction....

An introduction…

Writing to you from the US may seem questionable at first: A young woman in a society where the emancipated woman has become the norm, what can she possibly understand about oppression? Well, ladies, I would have to agree with you at first glance. It makes sense that America should be a woman’s haven: We have the right to vote, work and choose what we do with our bodies. Our role in the family has slowly turned around, and education has become widely accessible and encouraged for our gender. Yet there are some people of great power who, if they had their way, would put us back in a little box of chores, cooking and childrearing for good.

Fortunately for now I am ecstatic and proud to announce that, as you may know, president Obama has been re-elected for another four years in office. Had he lost presidency to Mr. Mitt Romney, his main opponent in the run, the world of women would have been turned back approximately 50 years: Reversing the progress feminists have made to a bare minimum.

This is an article that appeared in the New York Times newspaper not too long ago, on October 19th, stating the dangers of such a leader to women not only in America but world-wide:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/20/opinion/a-potential-world-of-harm-for-women.html

Apparently it isn’t enough that professionally speaking there are on average less women in leadership roles, and the ones that have made it up the corporate ladder are often few and far between; and though their work is as good as any other male counterparts’ they are still paid an average of 30% less.

So, the reason this information is relevant is to let you know that though our issues are not as urgent as the ones you are dealing with over there, issues still exist for women in the so called “first-world” and we’re right here beside you supporting you, and fighting for the day when no limitations will be imposed on us based on our gender.

I dare suggest aiming higher than equality with men, because that also limits us: Perhaps if left to blossom to our full potential we may reach farther than anyone ever before.

The famous American movie star Marilyn Monroe once said: “Women who strive to be equal to men are not ambitious enough.” And while ambition may mean different things to different women, though it may be stifled by the fear of survival and physical violence, it is important that as a woman to know you are an important part of society, and humanity as a whole: In the very least you have the power to give life. And how hopeful for us it is that our simplest biological function is in line with that of God?


By Teodora Cristea
You can follow me for more on twitter @teocristea