“When women are at the table, the conversation changes.”
~ Wendy Reeves, County Commissioner, Blount County, Tennessee
In our personal lives, we have a voice. What we wear, what we eat, where we live – most of the basics – are decisions we make daily and without much thought. And in doing so, many of us believe we are exercising some control over our lives. But have you ever thought about how much power we give away?
Yes, women make the vast majority of consumer purchasing decisions but we don’t have much say on where those products are made or how much the laborers make to produce them. Yes, women make the majority of health care decisions for their family, including which doctor to see and which medicines to try, but we will not be equally represented at the table when the healthcare reform plans are discussed. Yes, we register and vote in numbers that outpace men but we can rarely vote for someone of the same gender.
If you pay taxes of any kind, send a child to school, own a business or plan to renovate your home, you are affected by some level of government. Isn’t it time that we stop being effected by government and, instead, begin effecting government? It’s past time for the government agencies we rely on to benefit from our knowledge, our principles, our creativity and our commitment.
Women lead differently than men and there are plenty of studies to prove it. MRI research now shows us that our brains work differently. When we speak up and ask questions, we do it with a new perspective, fresh ideas and a common sense borne of running a household or a business with few resources.
According to the United Nations, a threshold of at least 30 per cent of female legislators is required to ensure that public policy reflects the needs of women. Women make up over 50% of the population of Tennessee and about 17% of the General Assembly. We’re not talking having “more,” we’re talking about simple equality.
We can make it happen. We have the numbers in registered voters and the number of women who turn out to vote. Where we lack is in the number of women who run for office. That’s where you come in. Be a candidate, work in a campaign, urge your friends to run, contribute where, when and how you can. Support women who run and vote for women when they run. Experience is not required, diligence is.
Unless and until women decide to become more involved in the process of decision-making we will continue to take half-steps when we should be sprinting.
Women make decisions everyday – some more serious than others. Too often, however, we make those decisions within parameters we had no role in setting.
If women are going to be a part of the solution, we have to be at the table.
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