After the turmoil of the 2008 primaries and election, as the dust is settling, there appears to  be a new movement afoot of activism on behalf of parity for women in all areas, but particularly representation in government.  Many believe that women will never achieve a “level playing field” until we have 50% women represented in the three branches of goverment.  A good place to start, in the view of the esteemed Dr. Lynette Long, is with representation in the Cabinet over which incoming President Barack Obama has full control.  Dr. Long challenges Obama to select 50% females for his cabinet.

In PARITY IN THE CABINET???, Lynnette Long discusses this goal in depth:

“The current cabinet of the United States is attended by the President, fifteen Cabinet Members, and six cabinet level administrative offices that includes the Vice-President and the White House Chief of Staff for a total of 22 members. The Bush Cabinet has four women: Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, Elaine Chao as Secretary of Labor, Mary Peters as Secretary of Transportation, and Margaret Spellings as Secretary of Education. In addition Susan Schwab has Cabinet level rank as United States Trade Secretary. Out of the 22 people that attend cabinet meetings, The President, the Vice-President, the Cabinet, and the Cabinet level administrative offices, five are currently women, which is 23%. Will President-Elect Obama appoint more women to his cabinet than President Bush? I am starting a cabinet watch. Help me. I would like to see 50% of the female cabinet women. I am starting a cabinet watch. As the cabinet members become appointed I will color the titles blue or pink. Please lobby the Obama campaign for more women in the cabinet.  Call his office at 202-224-2854. Thanks.”

(See also Lynette Long: WHAT OBAMA CAN DO FOR WOMEN. )

Cabinet-level administration offices · Vice President of the United States
· White House Chief of Staff
· Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
· Director of the Office of Management and Budget
· Director of the National Drug Control Policy
· United States Trade Representative

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Introducinf Sarah Palin

Introducing Sarah Palin -  current Governor of Alaska, and the presumptive Republican vice presidential candidate for the November 2008 election.^[1] She is the second female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party (the first was Geraldine Ferraro), first Republican.

Energy Issues

Palin’s tenure is noted for her independence from big oil companies, while still promoting resource development.^[10][9] Palin has announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.^[19]

Social Issues

Palin is strongly pro-life and belongs to Feminists for Life.^[12] She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination.^[12] While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with a state Supreme Court order and signed them into law.[32]

Budget

In the first days of her administration, Palin followed through on a campaign promise to sell the Westwind II jet purchased (on a state government credit account) by the Murkowski administration. The state placed the jet for sale on eBay three times. In August 2007, the jet was sold for $2.7 million.^[40]

Shortly after becoming governor, Palin canceled an 11-mile (18-kilometer) gravel road outside of Juneau to a mine. This reversed a decision made in the closing days or hours of the Murkowski Administration.^[41]

In June 2007, Palin signed into law the largest operating budget in Alaska’s history ($6.6 billion).^[42] At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The US$237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly US$1.6 billion.^[43]

The following is an account written live at the WomenCount launch event at the Democratic National Convention by members of the MOMocrats :

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said: ( Hillary’s)

“Her candidacy was the best of times and the worst of times. I’m so proud of her. she gained. she earned 18 million votes. and she raised more money than any other candidate in history except Barack Obama. I am standing taller and I believe every woman is standing taller. Thank you Hillary Cliinton for being there and running and doing so well.”

“But it was also the worst of times for women because we saw the dark underbelly of sexism and misogyny, and like Ginger Rogers who did everything backwards and in high heels, women have more barriers to break. Someone should write a book, about women who have come so far yet still have obstacles.”

Jemu Greene: “As Madeline Albright says, ‘There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women’.”

Congresswoman from Florida, Debbie Washington Schultz:”

Congresswoman Schultz: Of the 240 women who have served in the House of Representatives, 70 are serving now. Take a look at the candidates at the WomenCount site – take a look at all of these candidates and support them. “Tonight will be a fantastic celebration of Hillary Clinton’s candidacy.”

“We need you to join us in this movement… to get this organization launched… with some of the most amazing women I’ve worked with.”

Acknowledging the the founders of WomenCount: Rosemary Compasano, Susie Tompkins Buell, Amy Rao, Stacy Mason

“This team – with your help, if you join our team, we will not just get language on sexism and gender bias on the Democratic platform; we’ll get it on the Republican platform.” (Jehmu Greene)

Greene: “With your commitment… a woman will be president!”

Senator Clinton then recognized all of the congresswomen who are present, and she recognized today as the 88th celebration of women’s suffrage.

“We cannot be deterred. We cannot be divided.” “I have served in the Senate and I do not want to see progress subverted for four more years with a Republican in the White House… but what it so great about our country is we don’t sit around wiaiting for our government to do things… that’s where citizen activism has always made a difference. The march toward women’s suffrage that ended in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment started in 1848 with the Women’s Rights Convention in New York…” Women kept at it, she said, and WomenCount is one of the organizations that takes on that good work… “WomenCount will continue to stand up against the pervasive bias that we saw in the media. WomenCount will continue to stand up and be a voice for those who feel that they are left out and left behind. There is so much work to be done and this is exciting and energizing work.”

She thanked everyone for working so hard for her.

“I will be there with you, I will work with you.” “We have made a lot of progress… but we have a lot more to do. So join with us, be part of this ongoing effort to realize the promise of America and the lives of Americans.

Hillary Clinton speaks at Women Count Launch About Future of the Organization