Tags: politics

Jo Freeman Writes: Fifty years ago, when I first began looking for information on women in politics, the world was a different place. The only History of Democratic Women I could find was a 40-page pamphlet published by the Democratic Congressional Wives Forum in 1960. There were no updates. That year there were only eight women in Congress; a Democratic Women’s Caucus was inconceivable. Politics was a male domain. By the time I moved to Brooklyn in 1979, women were breaking barriers, but politics was still a male world. Shirley Chisholm had been joined in the House by Elizabeth Holtzman from Brooklyn (who would run for Senate and lose in 1980) and Geraldine Ferraro from Queens (who would run for Vice President in 1984 and lose). Jump ahead to 2021. There are 123 women in the House (9 from NY) and 24 in the Senate (1 from NY). more »

The bulk of the book is on Pelosi’s 35 years (to date) in the House. As Washington bureau chief of USA Today, Page has been well-positioned to cover a woman who has broken several glass ceilings. Pelosi was the first women to be elected Whip and House Minority Leader. She’s been Speaker twice (2007-2011 and 2019 to date). Nancy used her ability to corral votes to pass Obamacare. She opposed the invasion of Iraq while remaining cordial with Bush ‘43. She opposed his impeachment for that war while supporting the impeachment of Trump years later. She’s been attacked and lauded. (Editor's note: A marvelous gift for a daughter, relative, friend, for the Holidays and birthdays.) more »

Jo Freeman Reviews: Mazie Hirono's first four years in the Senate were relatively uneventful, as she dug down and learned the job. When Trump became President, Hirono pulled out her sword. His acts, appointments and words represented everything she disliked. There’s a lot on the Kavanaugh hearings where, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she questioned Kavanaugh about his alleged sexual assaults. There’s also a lot on immigration (one of her pet issues) and the “Chinese virus.” Hirono’s political career coincided with the rise of political women from bit players to major leaguers. Her stories illustrate the forward steps as well as the backward ones. This book is a tribute to success, both hers and that of other women. more »

Jo Freeman writes: Georgia is a purple state. In the last sixty years, Georgia politics has become politically polarized and racially diverse. White Republican men hold the three highest state offices and the GOP has majorities in both legislative chambers. But, the highest ranking Democrat in the state is a Black woman. Six of the 16 members of Georgia’s Congressional delegation are Black; four are women. Only one is a white male Democrat. more »