I do not want to wade into the political arena on this blog, but there is some interesting chatter going on surrounding Hilary Clinton’s run for U.S. President. On the weekend I read two articles, one in the Saturday Star’s Weekend Living Section, entitled “Women are her toughest constituency” and another from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, entitled “Presidential race highlights women’s battle for equity in workplace,” both talking about different issues for women coming out of this race.

The Toronto Star article described what is happening with Clinton and her female constituents as “Tripping the Prom Queen.”  This title refers to a book written by Susan Shapiro Barish, who teaches a course on gender at Sarah Lawrence College. In the Star article, Barish states “our definition of ourselves is bound up in our perception of other women,” suggesting the success of Hilary Clinton “seems to mock our failure while tempting us to take steps we fear may make us less feminine and alluring.” This, according to Barish, results in “Tension about femininity, ambition, power, potential and gender roles.” Barish goes on to suggest Clinton’s trouble securing the female vote stems from it being “preferable to put the conflict to rest by tearing these women down and watching them fail.” She goes on to state, “We’ll do anything rather than face up to female envy and jealousy - especially our own.”

I have worked with a few women who would do anything to keep you down in the trenches, but just a few. The majority of my career has been marked with talented women who not only encouraged me to achieve, but who have done a great deal to help me along the way. My membership in Women in Nuclear (WiN) has been supported by many wonderful female colleagues, who have celebrated my every success, even when I was somewhat embarrassed by the celebration.  My personal experience does not match what Barish is reporting in her book, but then I’ve never run for President.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel talks about stereotypes and how Clinton is suffering from the very stereotypes Catalyst, a research organization that works to expand opportunities for women, has studied and reported on.
Some of Catalyst’s findings:

Female leaders are perceived as competent or likable, but rarely both.
If they act consistent with gender stereotypes, they are considered too soft.
If they go against gender stereotypes, they are considered too tough.

“Catalyst says stereotypes hinder women's advancement because ‘taking charge’ skills and other stereotypically male behaviors, such as assertiveness and competition, are often seen as prerequisites for top-level positions. Men are cast as ‘natural’ leaders while women constantly must prove they can lead.”

The article goes on to state women in the workplace who have experienced these stereotypes and bias say, “The election of a woman as president would have strong ramifications for the workplace.” I’m not convinced a female president would change the workplace, at least not overnight, but one of the barriers Catalyst identifies in their study is a lack of female mentors. At the very least, Clinton’s run for the first woman presidency might inspire other women to join the political arena and this, over time, could affect changes that may help women in the workplace.

For more information on Catalyst’s research, attend our workshop at the WiN-Canada 5th Annual Conference, run by Catalyst Canada’s Vice President, Deborah Gillis. The workshop, held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, will look at these stereotypes and provide solutions individuals and companies can use to break down the barriers and become more aware of the stereotypes we place on ourselves and others.