When I was working for Child Protective Services, one part of my job was going to court on behalf of abused and neglected children. I had to prepare a written report of my findings and be prepared to defend them against some of the most vicious (i.e. GOOD!) attorneys around. I don’t mind saying that the Judges loved my detailed (and passionate) reports … and appreciated my ability to “hold my own” under the pressure of direct and cross-examination.
BUT, my direct supervisor was far LESS a “Michelle-fan” than the Judges. One reason was the way I dressed. (Keep in mind… I was the youngest worker ever hired by the City for my position.. younger by at least 15 years than anyone else in my department.) She once called me in to discuss the “Ally McBeal – style” suits I wore in the Courtroom.
However, there was another woman in my department who had the opposite situation. She blatantly dressed like a man. In fact, people would have entire conversations with her and never know if she was a man or woman. Of course, my boss would never have approached this woman about her “dress”. So, my response to my boss was this, “As long as my co-worker is free to express her feigned masculinity, I will continue to freely express my authentic femininity.”
Now, we have the pleasure of watching Gov. Sarah Palin run for Vice President. I love that she has stayed true to her feminine “style”… and am curious about the amount of media dedicated to debating this. Should she have cut her hair or changed her glasses? What about the outfits she is wearing? Do they “speak” power? Seriously, America… I love to see a woman in power flaunt her authentic femininity.
I have to wonder, though. Why is there this push for women to downplay their beauty or feminine traits in order to be taken seriously? If only more companies (and more countries?) realized that it is the characteristically feminine qualities we possess that make us PHENOMENAL LEADERS.
So, why are women TODAY still questioned about remaining authentically female when vying for positions of power? I don’t know… but I REFUSE to believe that to be a great leader, I have to be “more male”. I applaud women who are climbing the corporate, or government, or self-employment ladder in their fancy Jimmy Choos. To US….
Love it Michelle!! So true!! While we are climbing that ladder in our Jimmy Choos, we can also show off our sexy calves 🙂 We should embrace our femininity!
Hi Michelle,
I so totally agree with the point you are making in this post. How nice to hear some support for Sarah for a change instead of the bashing her for “being a woman” and acting like a woman.
Thanks for this post!
Lynne
I appreciate Sarah Palin for being feminine and maintaining her style. I just wish I agreed with her about some issue. I’m eager to see her go back to Alaska and then to lose the next gubernatorial election. At least I’m not one of those men who supports her because she’s pretty, just as I’m not one who opposes her because she’s a woman.