Unit 1: The American System
"White House women want to be in the room where it happens"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/09/13/white-house-women-are-now-in-the-room-where-it-happens/
It's no secret women, to this day, are treated unfairly in work environments and even receive less pay than their same male counter parts, working the same exact job. So what about women in the White House? This article, by Juliet Eilperin gives you a glimpse of what life is like from women working at the forefront of the White House, and how little things have changed over the many decades. Eilperin depicts in her article the everyday struggles of having to essentially force yourself into important meetings. Once finally granted the right to enter these meetings, often times these women's ideas would be ignored. Because of this, Eilperin describes, women of the White House have implemented a new strategy called "amplification" which does exactly what it sounds like, it amplifies these women's ideas by having other women in the room, repeating and supporting the ideas being shared. Though there is progress being made, Eilperin makes it clear that there is still a long way to go, as women are also having to find balance between family and a nearly 24/7 work schedule, which several have come to find as unrealistic. It is clear to all from this article that the fight for equality among all genders is far from over.
Time and time again, women are put at unfair disadvantages, and though the White House has pushed for gender equality, it has been lacking in doing so for the past 20 odd years. Women to this day are being refused speaking time and denied access into important meetings in the White House, which intact scares and worries me on a personal level. If our officials refuse to listen to women, or treat them as equals, how are we supposed to make any progress? Granted, the White House has made a bit of progress, as women have linked together to ensure positions for one another within the White House, however simply adding tampon dispensers and areas designated for breastfeeding only just won't cut it. Women play a crucial role in running this country and need to be treated as such. Thankfully Obama has recognized these concerns but it is time the rest of the US do so as well, and focus on electing more women officials into office.