The New York Times
February 3, 2007
To the Editor:
Re “Women Feeling Freer to Suggest ‘Vote for Mom’ ” (Political Memo, front page, Jan. 29):
Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s recent appearances amid children are cited as proof that the stereotypes that have kept powerful political women from claiming their roles as mothers have receded.
One reason that women can project their “softer” side is changing public perceptions of toughness on national security, reinforced by Madeleine K. Albright, the former secretary of state, and Condoleezza Rice, the current one.
In a 2005 Roper poll, more than 75 percent of respondents said that a female leader would be better or no different on foreign policy, homeland security and the economy.
We have also seen the emergence of more strong women leaders: Angela Merkel in Germany, Michelle Bachelet in Chile and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia. They put a new spin on what it means to mother a nation.
Marie Wilson
Pres., The White House Project
New York, Jan. 29,
2007
