Reflections on the Perdue Inauguration
As I participated in the inaugural festivities of our state’s first female governor over the week-end, it caused me to pause and reflect on just how much has changed over the last 35 years in my own professional and political life. Although I haven’t served in elected office, I have worked in the political arena throughout my career. So as I watched Bev Perdue – our first female Governor – being sworn into office by a female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court against a back drop of women who will make up a majority of the Council of State, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a stark change this is for our state and for those who helped lay the groundwork for this to happen.
I remember the strong group of women who worked so tirelessly in the 1970s for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in North Carolina – only to be pushed back time and time again by our state legislature. Many of those women were on hand Saturday to witness history and to know their efforts were a part of seeing this change in North Carolina. These same women have helped open doors and improve North Carolina in so many ways. Because of their boldness there are greater opportunities for women in the work place; there are better options for quality day care; there are more educational opportunities and scholarships; and there are changes in a whole list of laws that give women – young and old – equality under the law. These women may not have been successful in passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, but their advocacy did make a remarkable difference in my life and in the lives of so many others. I was privileged to be a part of that generation -to carry my sign, wear my button and hold the hand of my young daughter as we marched side-by-side in a fight that some didn’t believe would make a difference. I can’t claim to have been a leader in that advocacy effort, but I was a part of it and on Saturday as I watched history in the making, I’m so glad that I was.
There are many young women today who don’t really know this history and the part other women have played to open doors for them. The women who paved the way aren’t looking for gratitude, but they do want to see the next generation of leaders – in business, in education, in politics – doing their part to make a difference. Some already are. In the recent election, many young women and men got involved, spoke out, worked hard and made a difference. This passion needs to be replicated in every aspect of our lives.
I have a lot of “take-a ways” from the week-end. I’ve enjoyed working with my friend Bev Perdue through her years in the legislature and as Lt. Governor. I’m excited for her and I look forward to her leadership as Governor. These are challenging times and will require the collective efforts of strong women and men of all generations. There will be time in the days and weeks ahead for me to focus on those things. But for today, I think I’ll just spend a little more time, reflecting on how far we’ve come.
Comments
This is a great perspective. I hope younger women across North Carolina will recognize the significance of Perdue's accomplishment and not take it for granted. I also hope they recognize there is still work to be done. Women do not earn as much as men for similar types of work and that needs to change if we are going to address the poverty, education and health care challenges in our state and nation.
On a personal level, the most poignant moment of the weekend was Kay Yow's video clip congratulating Gov. Perdue. Coach Yow was a role model for me growing up. On the occasion of the inauguration of North Carolina's first female chief executive it was fitting to have a tribute from someone who has done so much to advance women's sports. I suspect few girls today, including my daughters, realize that a generation ago there were precious few opportunities for girls to learn teamwork, competitiveness and self-confidence through organized sports.
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