President Obama talks about women not being relegated to a political interest group.
The president said:
“These issues are more than just a matter of policy. And when we talk about these issues that primarily impact women, we’ve got to realize that they are not just women’s issues, they are family issues, they are economic issues, they are growth issues, they are issues about American competitiveness. They are issues that impact all of us.”
Special interest groups are organized for the sole purpose of exerting influence on the political and legal systems and play a central role in deciding who gets what, when, where and how in legislative and budget processes. They can also play a significant role in deciding which values will be promoted and enforced by the government. Some good examples are The NRA, AMA, AARP, ABA, AFL-CIO, you get the idea.
Susan B Anthony is one of my favorite activists. She knew without getting the right to vote, women would never have a chance to advance, contribute and have a voice. Her efforts changed everything for women and women have steadily leveraged this.
Women may not be showing up on the Hill to lobby as much, but they are showing up enforce in the work place, on major lists and leading the way in business, creating jobs, adding significantly to the economy and changing attitudes about work, equality, family and working together as a community.
Women are an interest, important and influencial group. They are “making the shift” into their place, space, skin and destiny.
As 51% of the U.S. work force, women are growing into their shared stewardship and partnership with men, which can only benefit their family, our economy and our self-esteem. In Maddy’s Dychtwald and Christine Larson’s book “Influence” , she says:
“A nations competitiveness depends significantly on whether and how it educates and utilizes its female talent.”
The latest American Express Open report provides some interesting insights into current women business enterprise, WBEs:
- There are over 8.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States, a 54% increase in the past 15 years.
- WBEs are generating $1,291,267,100,000 (nearly $1.3 trillion) in revenues and employing 7,697,000 people.
- Between 1997 and 2012, when the number of businesses in the United States increased by 37%, the number of women-owned firms increased by 54%—a rate 1½ times the national average.
Founded in 1962, Catalyst, the leading nonprofit membership organization expanding opportunities for women and business lists the current women CEO’s of Fortune 1000 companies.
The Forbes Top 100 Most Powerful Women list for 2012 has several new faces, categories and demographics. This is the best snap shot of the impact of how women have and are emerging, blossoming and awakening.
Perhaps the greatest example of how women are emerging and stole the show were at the 2012 London summer Olympics with Missy, Gabby, Serena, Misty and Kerri and so many other women athletes who shined in soccer, water polo, basketball, swimming, track. The medal count was amazing and impressive.
There were more women than men competing in the 2012 summer Olympics. American women won 58 medals and 29 gold medals. More than China, Russia and Great Britain’s total medial count.
Women may not be a “political special interest group,” but we are special and making the shift into realizing and using our female talents with more confidence and leadership in fulfilling our social and economic destiny.
It can only accelerate our country’s recovery and make us all better, stronger and more successful.
Women Rock Photo via Shutterstock
