A reflection on ageism against women in politics [View all]

[EffieBlack]

Ageism is a particular problem for women in politics, who, unlike their male counterparts, didn't have the freedom or opportunity to launch careers at a young age that enabled them to develop the requisite experience earlier in their lives. Because of discrimination or a decision to raise families (something men could do while building careers but women had to do as an either/or) or a combination of both, many women weren't able to start laying the groundwork for leadership roles until later in life. And now, when despite a late start, they do manage to catch up through sheer hard work, smarts and grit, they're dismissed because they're too old - or euphemistically, "it's time for new blood."

It's a Catch-22 for these women - the years they put in are used against them - "she's been around too long" - without any recognition that for many of those years they were "around," they didn't have any realistic opportunity to move into leadership positions. Yet they toiled away under that glass ceiling, supporting the cause with dedication and skill, while their male counterparts whisked past them, onward and upward . But now that the opportunities are available (opportunities they earned), they get no credit, only demerits, for all those years of experience.

Many of the powerful women we see men trying to push aside fall into this category: Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Diane Feinstein - all women who started their political careers later in life. It's one of the reasons I was delighted to see Barbara Lee moved into a newly-created leadership position after being edged out as Caucus Chair by a younger man, likely because she wasn't a fresh enough face.

Unless and until we acknowledge and address this historical double standard and women have had a full opportunity to catch up, I'm not buying the "we need new blood" argument used against older women in power. Thanks to the long history of rampant discrimination, older women (and older minorities, for that matter) ARE new blood.

I, for one, am thankful they fought the good fight and are still willing to stay in the game. Their wisdom and experience enrich and benefit us all.