When newly elected Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was asked why half of his cabinet was comprised of women, he responded, “Because it’s 2015.” That may stand as one of my favorite political responses of all time. Trudeau seems to understand that women’s rightful place as half of all decision makers is well past its due date.
It is a statistical impossibility for this to happen by chance.
In America, women are in the vast minority in our congress, senate, upper-level corporate management, executive boards, academic panels, and most other leadership positions. It would be easy to think that this happened by chance, yet a quick analysis would show you that it is a statistical impossibility for this to happen by chance and thus is most likely due to intentional bias.
The repercussions of this bias is that women do not make as much money as men. We do not reach the highest positions in our jobs. We do not have an equal say in the development of laws and policy that affect us as much (and often more) than men. It means that we are not represented adequately in almost any arena in the United States. It means that half of us are potentially left behind despite our being equally educated and qualified for the same opportunities.
I urge you to value yourself as much as you value others.
So, as I wish each of you a healthy and happy 2016, I also wish you equality in every aspect of your life. I wish you equal pay, equal treatment, and most especially an equal voice. I wish you the courage to ask for what you want, strength to pursue your dreams, and the complete and total belief that you deserve all of it.
I urge you to value yourself as much as you value others. To periodically (maybe even frequently) prioritize yourself as one who is more than worthy of love and care. I hope you will ALWAYS help other women and girls. ALWAYS! Be the woman you want your daughter to be and the woman you want others to model themselves after. Please, please, please, speak up for other women, defend yourself, and tolerate ZERO sexism or misogyny in our world.
Because it’s 2016.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC