Looking Back on 2008 – The Year of the WOMAN
During my commute into work on New Year’s Eve, I was listening as Erin Hart filled in for the host of the progressive talk radio program. I like Erin. I like her voice, most of her views, and her humor. Erin, I hope you get your own show in 2009. We need more women on the radio.
In keeping with that theme, Erin mentioned upon reflection of 2008 that women played a large part in the political spectrum and in the popular culture of this past year. As I thought about it, 2008 just could have been the “year of the woman”.
No one can deny the presence of Hillary Clinton as the “year of the woman” personified. Much amusement has been garnered from all those references to the eighteen million cracks in the good ol’ boys’ glass ceiling, but facts are facts. Eighteen million people, men and women, fervently wanted Hillary in the next White House. That is not only newsworthy, it’s historic. For the fist time in our nation’s history, two X chromosomes wore the pants of a very viable candidate for President of the United States. Though Hillary came up just a few states short of a victory, she shouldered her responsibility to her supporters with poise and determination as she worked feverishly for a new Democratic administration.
I would be remiss, though justifiable in my attempt, if I didn’t mention Sarah Palin. In a moment of feminist pander, John McCain risked his political future on a moose-shootin’, Wal Mart-shoppin’, beauty queen-wavin’, hockey-momin’, “g”-droppin’, maverick reformer just like him. Sarah Palin was charming, witty, and never met a camera she didn’t mack for. I admit, the addition of the very conservative governor from Wasilla gave me much pause and a few sleepless nights. But it took another woman, Katie Couric, to unwrap the layers of Alaskan blubber to reveal a hollow core, a real life northern exposure of symbolism over substance. Couple that with Tina Fey’s scathingly accurate parody of the governor’s own shallow words, and Sarah soon discovered white-hot stars tend to burn out quickly in this galaxy.
Women’s issues such as the right to choose, healthcare, and equal pay took center stage in our nation’s debate. The struggles of a hard-working, single mother from Kansas shared that public spotlight with her son every time Barack Obama stepped up to the podium. Women across this nation began to experience the power of their own voice and the effectiveness of volunteerism. We began to realize one voice summed with others could bring about a well deserved change for our children.
Yes, when I look back at 2008, I can see so many women that made a difference and an impact on the last twelve months. From the moment Nancy Pilosi was addressed as Madame Speaker, to the moment Caroline Kennedy threw her Senatorial hat into the ring, to the myriad of in between, unreported moments of feminine strength across this county, women roared in 2008. It’s 2009, and I think we haven’t seen ANYTHING yet.
