Totally Awesome Women

This TAW’s gay rights speech in December, 2011 set the stage for the U.S. and global discussion of gay marriage.  Can you guess this politically savvy TAW?

 

(the Grindstone)

She’s Hillary Rodham Clinton!

 

 

Ok.  I just want to say that Hillary’s December speech at the UN Convention in Geneva was moving…seriously moving.  I’ve been an ally of the LGBTQIQ rights movement for a long time.  Unfortunately, it is very rare that we see this kind of media coverage in the political sphere.  One could easily argue that the reason for this coverage is not necessarily the “right” one.  Given the Rep. v. Dem. showdown that was occurring at the time, it is no surprise that Clinton gave the speech that she did.

 

Personally, I am less concerned with why the speech came about than the fact that it did come about.  For too long, politicians have skirted around issues like LGBTQIQ equality under the guise of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and pseudo-“Separate, But Equal Policies.”  I think her speech serves as a starting point for more transparent political discussions about gay marriage.

 

There are several other reasons why I find Hillary Clinton a truly Totally Awesome Woman.

 

1. The fact that she brushed off people criticizing her for not wearing makeup by remarking that people are too fixated on her appearance and that she appreciates that this is the time in her life where she doesn’t really care about things like that (Jezebel).
2.  How about that she became her own political advocate?!?  She didn’t just stand by idly and let other people (including her husband) represent her.  She became a senator and had a remarkable campaign for presidency.
3. She makes her own rules.  During the event-that-must-not-be-named, Hillary faced tons of criticism from people on both sides of the fence.  Should she stay or should she go?  Who knows…and who knows the pressure she must have been under when deciding how to face the issue.  But she did.  And handled it her way.
4. She is a super-genius! (Yale…hello?)  Not only was HRC a badass lawyer, but working one on one with political dignitaries (some of whom I bet don’t approve of her role in government) has become a daily activity for her.  That takes a lot of…whatever she has….
5. Finally, she demonstrates to all women that you really can be whatever you want.  HRC is not only Secretary of State and a former senator, she is also a lawyer, a mother, a wife, an advocate, and a role model.  Hillary truly demonstrates that if you want to do it all, you can.

 

(Time)

So, time for your input.  Whether you like her policies or not,

*Do you think HRC is a good role model for women?

*Do you think she exemplifies how feminism and real life are compatible?

 

I would love to get your perspectives.  I know there is a lot of discussion about whether her personal choices conflict with her advocacies for equality.  I personally think she plays her own game.  But I would love to hear from you all.

 

By the way, thank you all for posting so many insightful and engaging comments.  It’s nice to know people out there are reading!

 

(mail.com)