During my 30+ years of direct involvement in politics and government, I've repeatedly witnessed the unfair, unjust treatment of women political candidates and governmental leaders, so I'm particularly pleased to see former Virginia Attorney General Mary Sue Terry take the lead in promoting women in these areas via her newly formed "Farm Team" as reported in this excellent November 15 Roanoke Times article: http://www.roanoke.com/politic...
When she was first elected Virginia's attorney general in 1985, Mary Sue Terry became the first woman in its history to hold statewide office. In 1993, Terry lost her Virginia gubernatorial race to George Allen and, as they say, the rest is history.
Time and again over the past three decades, I've witnessed the political demise and too-brief careers of obviously intelligent, strong-willed, well-spoken, assertive women due primarily to gender differences and discrimination at every level of government and politics.
When men exhibit these same leadership traits and abilities, they are usually viewed as being "good businessmen" or "good politicians" while women are frequently seen as being "overbearing", "pushy", etc.
Of course, there are other base, demeaning and less flattering terms for such women, but I refuse to repeat - or even imply - them here.
Good for you, Mary Sue Terry; please let us know what we can do to help.
Thanks!
Steve