Pop quiz: what elite body of the world’s most democratic form of government still has a conspicuous scarcity of women in today’s modern era? Answer: the United States Senate, of course, is one of the most traditionally male-dominated workplaces in American history.
The Senate has an unflattering age-old reputation of being a so-called “Good ‘Ole Boys Club” comprised mainly of privileged rich white men. In fact, women’s representation in the Senate has been dismally low for over 200 long years even though women comprise about half of the U.S. labor force and the population generally.
To wit, according to Wikipedia:
- There have been 44 women in the United States Senate since the establishment of that body in 1789.
- Fourteen of the women who have served were appointed; seven of those were appointed to succeed their deceased husbands.
- Currently, the 114th Congress has 20 female senators, the same number as in the 113th Congress.
Even though Women’s History Month ended in March, the march for gender equality continues in the U.S. Congress — as well as within corporate America and male-dominated workplaces worldwide. According to the Washington Post, sexism against female staffers in Congress is still problematic (“The uncomfortable truth of working as a woman on Capitol Hill”). In fact, not only is the Senate 80% male and 20% female, but so is the much larger House of Representatives.
Meet Barbara from Baltimore
There’s one veteran female senator who has been an unsung hero and trailblazer for women’s rights inside and outside the cavernous corridors of the U.S. Capitol. Meet U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski…
- She is the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, extending her record with each passing day in office.
Senator Barb, as she is known by her beloved constituents, has had an influential impact on women in Congress. But unless you closely follow national politics, reside in the state of Maryland, or are part of the “Inside-the-Beltway” crowd in Washington, you might be unaware of her significant contributions to women’s equality.
Barbara from Baltimore has been a role model for women throughout her career in politics. And while she lacks a towering physical presence – standing at under five feet tall — Senator Barb makes up for it with towering leadership and a long record of accomplishments for women.
Moreover, she’s one of the more humble and modest members of the Senate who still gives public service a good name, something which is exceedingly rare these days. This is especially important during a time when the very institution of American government has been denigrated by citizens and the media alike for being unproductive and unresponsive to the people.
Some have even echoed the call of President Harry S. Truman who spoke of a Do-Nothing Congress over half a century ago. In this sense, history has indeed repeated itself.
Leading New Generations of Women
Most U.S. citizens feel alienated by the perennial partisanship and perpetual gridlock in Washington, according to national opinion polls. This is one important reason why the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote on Election Day has been abysmal across America.
But Senator Barb has been busy challenging the male dominated dynamics of Congress by leading new generations of women elected to the Senate. The Washington Post sums up her efforts in this regard by highlighting her decades-long crusade to make the Senate:
“A place where women belong” and “be a role model for generations of women in politics – in both parties.”
Senator Barb’s countless contributions pushing forward justice and equality for women have been remarkable during her 40 years in Congress (10 years in the House and 30 years in the Senate). Also, unlike many of her colleagues, she does not cater to the entrenched political partisanship that has infamously characterized Washington for so long.
On the contrary, Senator Barb has always been “focused on getting things done for her constituents,” as the Post puts it. This is a lesson more members of Congress ought to learn. However, Barbara from Baltimore is not your typical member of Congress.
As the Washington Post observes:
“Mikulski has always lived modestly; she has a net worth about one-tenth that of the average senator.”
She still lives in the city of Baltimore among the people who first elected her, commuting to Capitol Hill on a regular basis. In essence, Senator Mikulski exemplifies the true nature of public service for we the people, rather than for lobbyists and outside political groups which have led to destructive discourse and dysfunction in the nation’s capital.
Fighting for Fair Pay
Among her many achievements, Senator Mikulski has led a crusade for women to receive equal pay for equal work. Her mission culminated with the enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act during the early days of the Obama Administration.
Now, after nearly three decades of public service in the Senate, she recently announced her retirement effective next year. President Obama says:
“Her leadership serves as an inspiration to millions of women and girls across the globe to lead.”
That’s why Barbara Mikulski will be greatly missed when she retires from Congress in 2016. She will be missed not only by the citizens of Maryland and her colleagues in the Senate, but also by women nationwide and around the world who continue to fight for gender equality in all walks of life.
In addition to being the longest-serving woman in Congressional history, Senator Mikulski is also (according to the Washington Post):
- The first female chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
- The first female Democrat to win election to the Senate who did not succeed her father or spouse.
- The first female Democrat to serve in both the House and Senate.
Now that’s what you call a lasting legacy.
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Previously published on linkedin.com.
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