The Way of the Bonobo

After Faith Winter's lecture on Wednesday, I could not help but be reminded of the Bonobo, a species of primate (and rampant sex fiends), whose community is dominated by females.  Those researching the species attribute this domination to the rich bonds existing between the females.  Winter noted such a connection between women in our society is weak and is what the White House Project is trying to build.  However, while the Bonobo bump uglies to achieve social status/acceptance (though I'm sure some women are not above taking this route for their gain), the White House Project gives women tools to interact and gain positive acknowledgment in the male dominated political arena.

Establishing a professional network of women supporting women is simply an enabler for women in general.  I see the White House Project not about just blindly getting a mass of women into political office or the like but giving them a resource, an accessible community to find reassurance and strength in what seems a lonely endeavor (i.e. a woman amongst many, many men).  Something that says, "I'm kickin' ass, you're kickin' ass.  Let's band together and add some power to our kick."

Winter generalized women a lot in her lecture (which is difficult to avoid) but not all women are the same and I cannot support someone just because we share the same gender if I don't agree with that person's views.  Sarah Palin, for example, sucks, a lot.  She's done so from the beginning (two of my friends who grew up in Wasilla give some great examples: How Local Teens Beat Sarah Palin in the Battle of the Wasilla Skate Park & Palin, Because We Don't Need It).  Many women are not swayed to support Palin simply because she is a woman, myself included.  But I must give her kudos for inspiring women to say to themselves, "I'm more capable than she is."  Yes, you are, ladies! Even though Palin isn't the best representation for women in leadership, or least is not my personal ideal, her moment in the limelight supports the visibility idea behind the White House Project - women in leadership inspiring other women to get out there too.  Winter said to invite women to run for office, so see Palin as fuel for invitation rather than just a failure; when a woman says she could be a better leader than Palin, invite her to do so, I have every confidence she could be.