Women on the Campaign

As a woman pastor, I'm well aware of the inequities that women in leadership have to face. And throughout this endless presidential campaign, I've been annoyed that Senator Clinton had to endure media commentary on her neckline and endless jokes about her pantsuits (what do they expect her to wear on the campaign trail... a ball gown?) Throughout that time, I've never once heard a comment or joke about the unimaginative "uniform" that all of the male candidates wear... blue suit, white shirt, conservative red tie. For once I'd like to see a candidate show up with a cartoon character on his tie!

But the commentary that Hillary Clinton had to put up with is nothing in comparison to what Sarah Palin is facing. My husband and I were camping for 4 days over the holiday weekend, and were out of touch with the media. Before we left for camping, I'd done a very quick search to find out a bit about Governor Palin. I knew that she is wildly popular in Alaska (a 80-90% approval rating, which I didn't know was possible) and that she's been seen as a reformer. But I wanted to know more... about her positions, about how she's governed. And so, when we ended back up in a place where we could see/hear/read what the media was saying, I was absolutetly shocked. All that I was hearing / reading / seeing were questions about: could she handle this as a mother of five? what about her husband's drunk driving 22 years ago? was she fit to be the vice-president now that her daughter was pregnant? HUH??? Had I gone away for the weekend and had the media stepped back into the 1950s while I was gone? Maybe the question about handling a young family while in the spotlight is a good one. But if it is... why aren't we asking that question of Senator Obama as well? Isn't it as valid a question for him as for her?

For two days my frustration level has been building over all of this. And then this morning, I open up my Bible to read where I left off... Romans 16. And there I read:

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, minister of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor / mentor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ... Greet Andronicus and Junia (a woman's name), my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the Apostles..."

Reading these words I breathe deeply. I am so thankful that GOD has championed women in leadership for a long, long time.