A Cautionary Tale.

The Mister and I had dinner recently with a college classmate of his who enjoyed dual careers as cardiac surgeon and CEO of a well-known health care system.

We had a good catch-up conversation and at the end of the evening, he, the Mister’s friend, casually mentioned politics.  We determined, very quickly, that we were on the same page and agreed that there really wasn’t much more to be said.  Then, he asked, very softly: “Where are the women?”

It was late at that point, we all had early flights to catch the next morning, and the question was left hanging without further discussion..  I, however, haven’t stopped thinking about it.

Inherent in the question is: why is this political race so tight?

And so I’ve wondered:  Why aren’t we, those very women, more robust, focused and dedicated to women’s health?  To our reproductive rights?  To our rights in the work force?   Why aren’t we more deeply concerned about sexual discrimination and sexual abuse?  About verbal abuse?  More adamant about equal pay for equal work?  Why are we allowing those rights, and others once considered to be law, to be eroded. Removed.  Diminished at best.  Bit by bit.  One by one.  Little by little.

Why aren’t we, those very women, strongly, collectively and visibly supportive of candidates who promise to value and honor those rights.  And those of our daughters and theirs?   Surely, we own that responsibility. To the utmost degree possible..

I can only hope that our daughters and granddaughters will never, ever, need to ask the question: “Where WERE the women?”