April/May 1983 RAIN Page 5 THE NEED FOR WOMEN IN POWER Women must assume their proportionate share of political power. At every level of government around the globe, governments are in the hands of and predominantly controlled by traditional male power elites. In many cases, these elites are not even representative of the full spectrum of the male population—young, poor, laboring, and minority men are underrepresented. In all cases, they are grossly underrepresentative of any sector of the female population. In 1983, the United States Senate was only 2 percent female and the House of Representatives was only 5 percent female. When one (particularly a female one) sees that 51 percent of the population is so underrepresented in positions of power, it is easy to figure out why women Eire faring so poorly in governmental priorities. Women are not only scarce in the legislative branch, but also in the executive and judicial branches. Add to this the underrepresentation in top power positions in labor, commerce, academia, the church, etc., and you begin to fathom the problem. As one commentator put it, if you were to look at a picture of the top officials of the Vatican or the Politburo, they would appear much the same. It is no wonder that with such a narrow distribution of power to such a small and unrepresentative group, their world view, priorities, and problem-solving approaches have led us to a nuc- leEir arms race, world-wide assault on the environment, and massive social and economic injustice in the allocation of resources. This narrowly focused and unrepresentative male elite is epitomized by the Reagan administration, a power group which has not even attempted the pretense of trying to represent an}rthing but the interest of wealthy, older, conservative, white males. Fortunately around the world and in this country, women are beginning to assert themselves politically. Women voters in the United States in statistically signifi- CEmt numbers rejected Reagan more frequently than did their male counterparts. Polling showed that it was not merely Reagan’s anti-women policies they were reacting to but also his aggrressive military policies as well as his un- responsiveness to human needs. This difference in voting behavior has been denominated the "gender gap”. The gender gap exists also in public office where women are not found in sufficient numbers to balance Emd to promote more humane and sane policies. Although women have suffered from the restrictions of traditional role confines, our experience as nurturers is a positive attribute which is greatly needed in the councils of power. We must begin to place large numbers of women in power. Further, we must work to see that the women who represent us do indeed represent our values and are not females who, in order to get elected to office, accept the money and the value systems of the traditional male elite. The Right is well aware of the public’s growing desire to see women in office and will put forth women who work against their own sex when put into power. In 1983, women comprised 13 percent of states’ legislators. As bad as this statistic is, it is a dramatic and rapid improvement in numbers and heralds better representation for the future. There were a number of fine progressive feminist women who sought federal offices in 1982. Unfortunately, most of these new candidates were not suwessful because of a shortage of campaign funds. But these losses by Senator Margie Hendriksen District 20, Oregon are only temporary set-backs. Many of these women will be back to fight another day and will win. The growing number of feminist women in local and state office will begin moving to higher office. New women will replace them. Through the ERA battles throughout the country to elect pro-ERA legislators and to defeat anti-women candidates, a great deal has been learned. Women are becoming a political force in the electorate and in public office. We have the potential to become a tremendous force for positive non-violent and dramatic change if we can effectively mobilize ourselves. Joining feminist organizations that have a political action component is very important. The difference in attitudes between men and women in Although some women have suffered the restrictions of traditional role confines, our experience as nurturers is a positive attribute which is greatly needed in the councils of power. the electorate has been noted and, not surprisingly, differences have also been found in empirical investigations of the attitudes of men and women office holders. In a study of women legislators throughout the country who were compared with their male counterparts, it was found that women, whether they considered themselves liberals, moderates, or conservatives, were consistently more favorably disposed to women’s needs and equity issues than were men who identified themselves with the same ideology. Issues which directly affect women are constantly before legislators, and that is why women must have equal representation in making these decisions. To my sisters: for our part, let us think upon the words of Emma Goldman, who said, "Women’s development, her freedom, her independence, must come from and through herself.” This must include women taking over their proportionate share of the governments. The lives we save may be our own and those we love. □□ Margie Hendriksen is an Oregon State Senator.
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