Things to make it so that everybody who is eligible to vote can vote. It is going to be one more way in which the fight to vote continues. In which a way it isnt the formal rules but everything around it is contested and ultimately hopefully leads to continued progress. Thank you so much for coming. Thank you. You can get the books in the book or online. [applause]. Americans like to think of ourselves as exceptional as a model of democracy for the world but in this case we are back words. 50 nations have elected women to meet them from germany, taiwan, the philippines but we are behind pakistan. So as a woman who has written about politics i wanted to know why america had never elected a woman president and what is holding us back . It seems that over one a hundred years to have the right to go. Hopefully taking us back to seneca falls but but i think the obvious place the people go as we have seen now rages attacks against Hillary Clinton and rand carly fiorina. But in many ways it is laughable. Is a little shocking, but as what i will call as misogynist from the front of the party but window that the experience of every field, business, education and that israel. But yet it is surprising because it surprised me as much as anyone thats those uttered not making their decisions based on gender bias but Political Parties and issues and has the temperament when they decide to the to care for. So although we still have a lot of sexism it is impacting the final count of the election. Id like to say sex is in the elections is like a paper tiger. This is the way they think about candidates to tie to their gender . A lot of the way we perceive candidates is gender. But Research Shows there is a difference how the ec politicians and politics and business because there is a different relationship between the voters to political leaders and the employee. Research shows the double bind the say are too weak or too strong we know how they are compared. It doesnt look like that part pertains in politics. To have a leader man or woman that they feel understand them and someone who will stand up to them so if they are so tough and warn they get a boost with their favorability rating. The voters do not like candidates better entry and when we get to the it general election we will see how this plays out because there is so much anger at the moment. Host then we will go through history. But if it isnt sexism and we havent seen a woman president at least 130 years it was sexism in the legal tender discrimination. Americas elections are pretty weak in comparison to the world. The real problem is incumbency there are so few offices open that it is hard even when they do with the elections and is hard to change the ratio. The other part is what political scientists call the gatekeeper. There is a group of people in power for very long time that are predominantly men and white and congress was 95 percent white male. About 12,000 men had served in congress and 308 women. So we have a resistance at the gate keeper level having to do with people wanted to hold positions of power. So because of this gender way of politics so what can we do . This seems to be if were fighting history we have a long way to go. Great question. In countries around the world they have decided they need to take positive action to get a more diverse said representative government. They are off the table in the United States whether corporate boards or in the legislature. So whitey we have seen since we dont have any institutional methods we have women looking at this wall keeping bell a white man cozy and comfortable inside and say how do we cheap to chip away at the false foundations . And then to get enough money from the democratic side from the g. O. P. Initiative. They create Interest Groups that pushed womens issues on to the agenda. Now with the height the second wave of feminism so we would not be where we are today unless they decided they have to play the political game the way the men play it. To show that we deserve to be there. One of the most interesting things is interview would hundred people that they were pioneers and many were the new generation. And they created a new establishment in the Democratic Party. But we really cant forget in 1960 there were no women essentially. So with this point we take that for granted. So it is hard to get to equal participation. And then pretty much when 20 percent in the you mentioned those quotas. New york eating those are off the table . Think it is a racial history and the 60s and 70s those quotas became the code word for not letting africanamericans into the of institutions they were excluded from. The only way that race drove politics in the 60s and 70s and early 80s has a lot to do with why we are stuck to decrease diversity or other ethnic groups. Were in an incredible race right now. We now women are important. And is that over or understated . If you look at the 2012 elections roughly 10 million more women than men voted. Said to make up for the vast majority in the womens vote is pretty solid between 56 its 60 percent consistently for the democratic candidate for president. The changes with the offyear elections. And they tend not to vote in those offyear elections. So to make the difference by staying out. In Research Shows the ideology but the reason they are pro democratic in essentially the Democratic Party is a feminist party. But you cannot be opposed to womens equality indians a opportunity for women. In in those states as well. Select get those both parties and have a quotation was interesting to if you want to advance the issues then you have to get outside the party to create bipartisanship. And that brings us back to win in helping other women. The nimby see that partisanship and how they work together. Because we hear how washington is gridlocked but it seems like the women in congress and the senate have done that differently. There are about 20 women in the senate but going back if you know, women in the senate 30 years ago no democratic woman had ever been elected to the senate in her own right. So in the year of the woman in 1982 there are six of them better in this institution and not because of the chromosome so the first democrat elected to the senate in gaby the hutcheson to reach out to to improve womens retirement security. As Newt Gingrich was taking over the congress. To make the bill have been. When nothing was happening because of the partisanship and that there was such a good working relationship to have the bipartisan incentive gender like the new girls club but now with is a tradition that has gone on to 1993 or 94 with the trust that they have developed to end the government shut down. Sova i have heard over and over again our Life Experience to be pragmatic. It had you break to those barriers to get that adequate compromise . To have a functioning government. And then to have the pleasure of working with. But they do talk about that compromise and we do seem to lose that so those bipartisanship tenders of at impact. Because of it doesnt make a difference if you dont have that representation. That is the heart of it. It doesnt matter. There are three key reasons that it is a more collaborative style. And the importance of symbolism we think that isnt so important. That 44 times it comes up heads. What is the chance . That our girls will say why hasnt there been a woman and a halfs to do with seeing women and of all the top leadership women are nowhere near equal in society. To said that symbolism message to the world that we are beset by extremism with that common denominator is misogyny and the oppression of women and girls. For a woman to be at the head of the most powerful country in the world for a key ally and now our most significant enemy of isis and then as soon say powerful message from the bully pulpit and to have headed the incident in the way it is very rare. Host i thought that was a great example but there wasnt a woman in the room. So i will talk about that. Indeed Affordable Care act is a good example. And then to pass the control bill. In quebec couple committee has said one of the things that they cut. [laughter] so senator who was the author of that got wind of this matter was a significant number of women stood up and talk together women in said no. This is the compromise that is acceptable to us. Long story short they made it happen the first and one of the only amendments passing health care reform. So the recent the institute of medicine if those Health Care Needs of women is because of that. Because the women stood up and said no. You cannot do this. To bring a particular perspective . Focusing on the economic participation between womens participation and growth in the bottom line. And then the stage is set equal opportunity. But that you are proving that the same is true. And how we can support Women Economic participation. United states used to have one of the highest rates of Women Participation in the labor force. Panera whenever quite remember but with that economic participation everybody agrees the reason for that is we dont have those same policies of Maternity Leave and child care and preach a. We are one of three countries in the world that does not guarantee paid Maternity Leave. Not even first world. The entire world. To walk a shame. That is holding us back. It is costing us. So full participation means a better life for everyone. So why . Why do they say this is an investment for everybody . I absolutely agree. It is not a womans issue. We have a representative government. That we cannot avoid the fact that people bring experiences. To have faith perspective that is different. To be still and the rays of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders men talks about supporting Maternity Leave. In talks supporting child care with 3k. He has like a 14 trillion budget and all the other things on his agenda. End Hillary Clinton has wanted to present approach royce electorate but she talks about the problem that access to reproductive care is essentially unavailable because of politics. And they are finding paid family leave. And so this is a priority. End way to integrate this into the National Security or economics or health care is in just a discreet womens issues. Is the perspective that you bring but i know that women judges did not go differently a general matter is but you do see a difference. So it is the experience that you bring to bear the icky through rule of law is the judiciary so you can see how powerful participation is it is the sexes and at the polls with the incumbency so tell us about 1848 on a the most cherished historical events like those who fought tirelessly to get the amendment but and there is an incredible thing in the book so talk about that team won the fact to show how much resistance there was too women exercise the most fundamental right to go. That is absolutely hysterical. To evolve literally millions with a population was 30 million. And to do honker strakes they were electing end and electing politicians. About two wooded glade is in the country and what happens is the leaders of the top suffrage organdies Organization Says that the league of women voters so at that moment and then to run candidates to with passenger policy. Into step off the main stage of politics to say that they dont have to worry about them. And back to the moment of the gatekeepers. They were going to tell certain then you cannot run for this post because we need women. And then it could be impacting todays elections around the country. Guest yes mediacy some. And the republicans back in 2012. And with the recommendations to bring more key women into leadership. And with the Democratic Party as a member of the top leadership. So at that level but the fact is they have very little control for humans of office. Hopes and sanders who was on principle it to have a a Typical Party and that is a trump lead figure. The head ted years ago he had to form his own Political Party so to be nominated. There is a lot of boring electoral rules to make it harder. Going back to the womans go. To womens vote the same way. With the democratic and republican women against abortion and gay marriage and that is the reason theyre voting republican. And with those Economic Issues with social issues even if they dont call themselves feminists and disturbed with the direction of this party. Sometimes i feel like the cast member on survivor. As the Political Action committee it is pretty much appalled at how extreme religious right has taken over. We have seen generational tension and that older generation will face barriers in their personal life it took lyndon acting together to get as far as we have gotten entry havent gotten far enough. They know how american politics work and with that institutional mechanism having women at the head does a lot to shift the culture and ideas. Those that is not interviewing before a Campaign Among those Democratic Women for Hillary Clinton the question of white millenials women and their balancing to candidates that are as good in different ways. And that we will not sacrifice womens equality with their issues they want to see it financed. There is a concept and then they go through life. And then maybe theyre voting on these ideals. But that is what matters in their life span. I had that personal experience myself in college and participating. Not one person in the feminist movement talked about child care. And as a going to manage having children and a career . It was excruciating when i got to that point. So we keep pushing the debate for word even if we end up at a different place ultimately they will come around and be enthusiastic but getting the family questions into the conversation not the back burner but how happy you are your personal life and did your career and have your children thrive if. And the idea of why women go into politics. Summary our focus on their leadership and in the use that power for purpose. If you say they run because they want to solve problems. But the end read for power in a career opportunity. About what is interesting about millenials that older women in millenials but theyre not the same thing. For men or women they dont think there should be environment. Said to have that work life balance. But i want to ask you about that. Why did they run for Different Reasons . I think your point about purpose and Mission Driven to reshape the business world. They want to do good. 80 say they do not want to go to work. Absolutely. Because women perceive it is more difficult and in many ways they perceive it is more difficult than it is . It is hard for everybody but not rich harder. So i think the sacrifice that it takes to run for office. And not have a readymade network from the men of politics. And then new york sure plenty of ambitious politicians and death that alliance for the men. On either hand maybe it is a sign of progress so it seems like youre always comparing the standard to that. Was so Great International research with more women in politics and the caliber of politicians because it is more competitive or to be more qualified. Ended with the most every governing body. There is only 17 percent so it could be the we are conditioned. So if that 17 percent to be represented. Absolutely. It just reminded me as i was doing this book so is america the ready to elect a president what are the barriers . I say nine out of 10 will of course, it cannot just for the woman because she is a woman. But trump in in the sanders can appeal to though white workingclass men and that is the movement. But its identity politics. It is the double standard in may have something to do to get beyond 17 . Thats too much. That is strange. But it isnt natural. It is a with a culture for women to have power to the stereotype even look at the media and how that makes a difference. Madeleine albright said i never aspired to be secretary of state because i never saw wearing a dress. And then for the secretary of state she has seen condoleezza rice, Hillary Clinton, all these changes with those expectations. And just when you break that barrier. So that is important. But those with that comparison with the adolescent girls sitting viable women running for the office it just starts their political ambition. It to be politically active. It isnt just nice but will change the ratio to where should be roughly 50 . So the message that we send of 80 percent of the media that told us when she was said washington. Maybe it was rwanda in said you have to help us. She said no. I am an actress i do research. You need to talk to the ambassador. They said no. Stop exporting the television is changing the exhortations of the role of the woman in our community. So with a sense a signal of how we view women. Host and i was told the story to say im a lousy women mentioned anywhere. But then the next year or the year after and the centerpiece in realize that economic importance. Been to have that Evidence Base case if i want them to be competitive bid that is a real shift. It is the right thing to do. It is empirically the smart thing to do. I really do think it will be transformational to have a woman president. But our systems were not billed for the 21st century with those aspirations of any woman under 45. Most of the men are chafing under these old models of the breadwinner has been i cannot be involved. Sole leadership at the top especially the system of the government is so important to set the table and set the agenda of what matters. And using the bully pulpit to say this is a luxury in we will focus on the aegean sea and gender equality. Is such an important point. Because we have so much process built into the system. If we dont take these moments to see where the systems work we are left behind. Also the Evidence Based case is what you need to do to stay competitive. So womens political power dissipation. And that is something missing. In to do the things that you have to do. And one of the things and then to keep out the bad actors . There are a lot out there that our ready to do the right thing. Workers that they cannot be competitive. End they cannot be competitive of for those that will undercut them. So as to seem like Social Security or minimum wage and is the rest of the world that has discovered as necessary with economic potential it cannot all be done. There is a lot of debate how you do that with a compromise between republicans alien democrats with primarily taxation. Whats the balance, mandates for says incentives. There has to be some middle ground reached. Having women the head of committees and as president to make it more likely. What do you think is holding back the conversations . Why is this not on the top of his mind . So that means 83 percent of the conversation is driven by that and men have not had to make these issues from the priority in for them to go about their business to achieve positions of power and not worry about the sick child for example,. So to express forthright of gender equality as the conversation and starts to change it to take care of the military and the economy and federal reserve. This is girl stuff. Part of that is changing this is american stuff. It to make it a priority. But i do think that next generation it is not as if anybody is interested. To say that these younger guys they know that this is the resettlement. Is to know that isnt a womens issue. To think that sex is in is a barrier or particularly of barrier to not adopting these policies but i feel they treated a Playing Field that is sent level and we will have to make some conscious efforts to level to spread the adl among those of humor generations. With the large banks of the Large Companies and to put in the policies to stay competitive with the largest Economic Force of today is a Research Says more than china or india combined. In they are very pragmatic. They know that matters to our future. Also the status could not be higher. Is evident is taken very extreme position. So not only that we go forward and is good to have someone who prioritizes the there is also a big danger of what is the risk. But latina. To allow those immigration orders to go through. In real women have reproductive rights with access to abortion and birth control. This is if women can participate anywhere in society and our level. Host because what is a risk . What about the lower levels . Is that still a historic find . And if we get to that the congressional level. Grey question. I think it has to the size of legislatures with the California Senate district has 1 Million People in it the state of alaska has 600,000. So there are very few spots open so fecund chase the of change the legislature there are things that parties can do on a voluntary level. Said california is a very democratic state. And that is quite powerful when he decided to endorse or who not to endorse in many countries have those quotas adopted by parties. They can make a commitment. To increase womens representation. I dont think that is the case. Theyre looking at the very low odds winning the race as the non incumbent. That isnt a rational decision for me. And it seems the way theyre going now with positions of power if you are a rational actor what will this do to my family or my life . I think it does. When i talk to women involved in politics they all say you have to be tough. That is part of the game. Is a blood sport. Is keeping a lot of good people and they do think we still have a problem with women in power. Relate how they are when theyre in power but not asking for power. Imagine Hillary Clinton it would be ludicrous it is inconceivable. So to talk about of what they think it is. Received with the stereotype type of threat so a Chilling Effect what can we do that they have great chances of winning. One of the most important things is have the opportunity and once you see a person in that role in helps them to ruth set the conditions i 17 yearold daughter while she was walking by the tv i mean that is my daughter. With the same ambitions you have to see that to be able to imagine to put yourself on that path. To say yes it is discussing in the awful and laughable but in the political world will not affect whether you win or not. To say if i willing to put up with it i will have an equal. Once the woman is incumbent and is reelected it is just getting in the first time. Is there anything you want the viewers to come away with . And what should they think about . Of who represents our interest or values or the temperament and the character to be president. And the person has to have all those qualities and go ahead with the really doesnt matter is not identity politics to have that desire with rational selfinterest in the sense of the common good. Host thanks for the book. And research that is interesting. So why do we need bremen in Political Office . They give for that contribution. Good evening everyone. Good evening. I im with the roosevelt house and its my pleasure to welcome all of you to what is essentially the first of our evening Public Programs to mark womens history. Part of the celebration is the opportunity to have another look