A few days ago my daughter phoned from college with the news that she had been asked to run for the Executive Branch of student government at college. This comes as no surprise since this year Elizabeth was elected to serve on her student Senate. Bubbling with excitement Elizabeth relayed, “John is running for president, Fentriss for Vice-President, James for Treasurer…and they want me to join their slate and run for Secretary.” “Secretary?!”  I queried.

“Yes and the election is next week. We had a meeting to write our party platform and target our voter base. Each of us has an assignment. I am going to make the flyers!”  As she chattered on and on, the inevitable chorus of thoughts began to resonate in my mind, “Secretary?  Why not President? Or even Vice-President?”

Having been surrounded by the inner workings of the body politic has clearly imprinted the importance of electing women.  In fact, my daughter has been well trained to run for office and she has the courage to take a risk. Most important, she is confident in her abilities.  She is a young woman who isn’t fettered by the old feminist lore of how, but instead thinks how high.

For the past seven years I have dedicated all of my energies to helping elect women to higher office. My idea of a vacation with my girlfriends includes traveling to Washington, D.C. to march for choice.  I just can’t help but wonder why she did not comprehend the stereotype in what her team proposed for her — the common assumption that the women’s role should be the “Secretary”.

After hanging up the phone with Elizabeth, I contemplated a common reflection for 21st century women, “What advancements have we made as women and how will the next generation of leaders, like my daughter, make the women’s movement their own?”

The women candidates that are running for office in Sacramento in 2010, like Kamala Harris, Gloria Romero and Holly Mitchell, are the kind that can inspire the next generation of women leaders to aim higher.

For now, Elizabeth is content to stay busy with her campaign. As I write this, she is probably outside of the dining commons asking for votes. She has the courage. She has the training. Elizabeth can do anything she puts her mind to and I’m sure she will make a great secretary.

Warmest regards,
Bettina Duval

Bettina Duval, Founder, CALIFORNIA LIST

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