I’m old enough to remember a time when there were very few female physicians, dentists, lawyers, CEOs or high-ranking politicians. As a child not one of my family’s doctors was a woman.  There was a time in the not-so-distant past when women couldn’t have a credit card or a mortgage in their own name. And although (because of women) many of those things have changed, women are still not represented equally in all places where major decisions are made. 

For most of my childhood I only saw women as homemakers, nurses, teachers or administrative assistants. All of these, of course, crucial jobs for a high functioning society and yet often the most underpaid (or not paid) and least respected in our country. So even the jobs that women held were treated with disrespect and limited financial support. I think back to how my young girl’s eyes must have viewed women’s place in the world and why I so urgently push for full representation by women in all places where decisions are made for all of us. 

How did my young mind view only men in positions of power? How did young girls walking through a White House tour feel when they saw not even one picture of a past president who was a woman? How do women today feel when walking the halls of large organizations to see only pictures of men who have run that organization to date? Representation matters and it matters most to those who aren’t represented. When health care decisions are made and no woman is in the room, how will our unique medical needs be considered? When maternity leave, family sick pay, and childcare options are in front of a male only cabinet, how will women’s needs ever be met? Historically, they haven’t been. 

The Power of Representation

Yesterday, for the first time in the history of this country, a woman became the Vice President of the United States. A woman of color, a woman who has fought for other women and for people of color. A woman with a voice who is not afraid to speak up and to disagree even when surrounded by all men. A woman whose photo will grace the halls of the White House forever and will be visible to every little girl and woman who walks through those halls in the future. This woman, and her image will forever remind us that women belong in the White House, in positions of power and decision making all over this country and this world. 

Representation matters and it matters most to those who aren’t represented. Diversity and equality are part of healing our suffering country. #representation #diversity #power #KamalaHarris Click To Tweet

In many of my political discussions with others, I’ve been criticized for wanting equal representation for women.  Interestingly, most of those who have argued with me are those who are represented and thus have never felt the pain of exclusion due to gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Privilege is an easy pill to swallow. I know, I’ve swallowed it myself and it went down far too easily. Looking at our country and our world from the perspective of those with far less privilege is one of the few ways to realize how different equality looks when you look different. 

I celebrate Vice President Harris and her achievement. Yesterday I wept tears of joy for a new president and vice president, the promise of the most diverse cabinet in the history of our country, and women represented at every level of government. I wept for my grandmothers and mother who were not represented on any of those levels and I wept for my daughter and daughter-in-law who will see a far different world than their ancestors. Yet I mostly wept for myself in that I have longed to see women represent me, my friends, and women worldwide. Today my heart is filled with hope.

Prayers of kindness, thoughtfulness, unity, and compassion to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and all who will be part of healing a country that is suffering greatly. 

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC