What a week!! On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th U.S. President, bringing new hope to Americans and people around the world. The image of the new President and his strong and vibrant wife (and partner) Michelle holding hands along the Inaugural parade route moves us forward on racial and gender equality in ways that no public policy initiative or working group could ever do. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
Then on January 21, Senator Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State. What a wonderful voice she will be for women here and across the globe. President Obama’s appointment of Clinton reaffirms the message that smart, powerful men need not fear smart, powerful women—they should join with them to build stronger nations, communities, and families.
This blog exists in no small measure because of Clinton. It was the dispiriting level of sexist commentary during her campaign for the Democratic nomination that led Steve and I to begin discussing the prevalence of sexist remarks in our culture. I didn’t want to allow this moment to pass without a tip of the hat to her. Clinton’s perseverance in the face of the horrifically sexist things said about her is a testament to her strength and to her desire to serve this country.
Moreover, her campaign opened the eyes of many of us who had quite wrongly assumed that sexist remarks (at least those spoken openly) had gone the way of racist comments. Initially, we were aghast; we wrote letters to the media (often the worst offenders) and commiserated with one another. With a new administration in power, we now have the opportunity to put an end to sexist comments in public forums and to further educate our citizens about the need to do so in more private settings. What we choose to do going forward matters.
I have read that Secretary Clinton has a favorite expression about making the most of whatever life hands you: “Bloom where you are planted.” In other words, wherever you land in life, find a way to thrive and grow and to focus on your passion.
It is an important message for everyone but most especially for women who can feel victimized by a culture that so often places less value on their contributions. It is about hope and a way to go on that is beyond mere survival—it is about living life to the fullest, no matter what.
So, in 2009, Steve and I hope that you will bloom where you are planted. Discover your passion, wherever life has led you so far, and create a new pathway forward. Our new Secretary of State will no doubt do the same, working in tandem with our new President to light the way for all of us.
Cynthia
