Non-Snowflake Women
These are just a few women I have admired over the years for their relentless advocacy. When confronted they did not back down, change their tone, or change their views. They needed no cover. You took cover from them.
Today’s women leaders don’t hold the currency their predecessors had in the 1970s and 1980s. Too many women today get appointed or selected by men to corporate or University boards to diversify their workforce. Everyone now has to watch their words around them. It’s all so damned polite.
None of these talented and intelligent women were given their positions or responsibilities; they fought for them against intense personal attacks and within strongly male dominated groups and systems.
Hanan Daoud Mikhael Ashrawi. Longtime advocate and spokeswoman for the Palestinian cause and the PLO. If you are charged with defending Arafat, you are really, really good.
Indira Gandhi. Former Prime Minister of India.
Golda Meir. Former Prime Minister of Israel.
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey. Give Ireland back to the Irish.
Shirley Chisholm. Civil rights leader, politician, and a Women’s Movement Leader.
(Photo credit: Thomas J. Halloran, U.S. News & World Reports)
Bella Abzug. Lawyer and a leader in the Womens’ Movement.
Margret Thatcher. Former Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Gloria Steinem. Ever battling for the E.R.A.
Jane Goodall Primate researcher and conservationst
