Women of Note
FactCheck.Weekly, an Update: Pelosi, Capitol Police and Jan. 6
FactCheck Weekly: "House Republicans have sought to change the narrative on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by pro-Trump protesters, claiming that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is “ultimately responsible for the breakdown of security at the Capitol.” But their arguments overstate the role of the House speaker in overseeing the security of the Capitol and rely on speculation about Pelosi’s involvement and knowledge about intelligence warnings for which they have not provided any proof. Republican Rep. Jim Banks said that Pelosi, as speaker, “has more control and authority and responsibility over the leadership of the Capitol Police than anyone else in the United States Capitol” and therefore, “is ultimately responsible for the breakdown of security at the Capitol that happened on Jan. 6.” The speaker does not oversee security of the US Capitol. The speaker appoints one member of a four-member board that oversees Capitol security, and who then must be approved by the House. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Pelosi played a role in denying efforts prior to Jan. 6 to bolster security on the Capitol grounds with members of the National Guard. There is no evidence of that." more »
Jo Freeman Reviews MADAM SPEAKER, Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons Of Power: “An iron fist in a Gucci glove”
The bulk of the book is on Pelosi’s 35 years (to date) in the House. As Washington bureau chief of USA Today, Page has been well-positioned to cover a woman who has broken several glass ceilings. Pelosi was the first women to be elected Whip and House Minority Leader. She’s been Speaker twice (2007-2011 and 2019 to date). Nancy used her ability to corral votes to pass Obamacare. She opposed the invasion of Iraq while remaining cordial with Bush ‘43. She opposed his impeachment for that war while supporting the impeachment of Trump years later. She’s been attacked and lauded. (Editor's note: A marvelous gift for a daughter, relative, friend, for the Holidays and birthdays.) more »
UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ: ‘I always felt like a pioneer’
Carol Christ: When I joined the faculty, only 3% of the faculty were women. When I joined the English department, there were 84 faculty in the English department — it was much bigger then than it is now — and there were four women. I was the fourth woman. And I remember whenever I went to an office, people didn’t believe I was a faculty member. Carol Clover: Or, when I went to Harvard, people always thought that I was a secretary in my office. They would just walk in and say, “Would you please type this for me and have it for tomorrow?” Anne Brice: What would you say? Carol Clover: It would be a nice conversation. They were usually apologetic. It was just the way things were." more »
Jo Freeman Reviews Electing Madam Vice President by Nichola D. Gutgold
This book packs a lot of punch into 145 pages. The eleven 2019/20 Presidential debates allowed more women than ever before to stand up and be heard...Along the way the women were often attacked, though not so viciously as when they ran for President. Trump called Warren ‘Pocahontas’. The press said Klobuchar was a mean boss. Williamson was dismissed as an aging hippie. Some of the women handled these attacks better than others – but that’s true of men as well. Above all, they had to deal with the issue of “electability” – could a woman, any woman, beat Trump. All told stories from their lives to illustrate their themes. None were rags-to-riches stories. Nor did they go into politics the old-fashioned way, by inheriting an office from a male relative. They worked their way up the political ladder, though some had doors opened for them while others had to pound on those doors. In her final chapter Gutgold asks “Did Six Women Running for President 2020 Change the Rhetoric of Women and Presidential Politics?” To find out her answer, you’ll have to read the book.
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