say what you mean and mean what you say

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of meeting our first Congresswoman at the Adams County Fair in West Union, OH.  Jean Schmidt represents OH-2 which includes several counties along the southern border of the state.  On account of meeting our first female elected official, I started to think about what it means to be a woman in politics. 

I know I’m not the first to make this observation but I’ve noticed that the way a woman communicates in the working world, especially in politics, is something that can make or break her.  Take Hillary Clinton for example.  Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly appreciate any weaknesses that have prevented her from becoming president.  At the same time, I sympathize with her struggle to define herself as someone strong enough to be the leader of the free world while still maintaining her femininity.  

Due to the stereotypes that have developed in our society as far as the ways men and women should act, often times people are looked down upon when they show characteristics that are associated with members of the opposite sex.  This is one thing that bothered a lot of people about Hillary Clinton and I think this might be the case with Congresswoman Schmidt. 

Obviously, a lot of things have contributed to the reputation she has made for herself over her public service career, but I’m sure the fact that she often speaks her mind in very blunt and sometimes antagonistic ways has had a lot to do with her being labeled “mean”.  I’m pretty sure that men who carry themselves in the strong, assertive, and direct way that she does are almost never questioned for doing so.

The reason I care to point this out is because we had heard a few things about Congresswoman Schmidt’s personality before we met her that made me a little weary of spending time with her.  However, she was incredibly welcoming, very interested in what we were doing, and made sure to include us in the livestock auction she had bid in.  She was even able to offer advice for handling people who unfairly criticize you (something we have recently become familiar with).  I think it takes a lot of personal strength to live a life in the public sphere and to be confident enough in yourself to do what you think is right without letting the hurtful things people can say and do to you get in the way.

At any rate, we could tell that Congresswoman Schmidt really cares about her job and I wish people would stop giving her a hard time for trying to help this country in the best way she knows how.