Eighty-eight years ago some women were imprisoned, went on a hunger strike, were force-fed, and practically gave up their lives as they had previously known them – to help earn the right for women to vote.  Now, for the first time in history a woman is running for the President of the United States of America!

Not just any woman…a woman senator, a woman who has in the past shown that she can win against great odds, a woman who made political colleagues from political enemies.  This is a very smart, extraordinarily capable, experienced woman who has given of her mind and energy since high school and college age to work for what she believes in.

I just don’t get how women aren’t reacting to Hillary the way the African-American community is reacting to Obama.  I know there is a big disconnect between older and younger women on this subject.  And, I may be mistaken; however, I believe that younger women want us older women to “get over it.”  Feminism I believe has gotten a very bad rap and is considered unattractive, passé, and embarrassing.  I get the impression that it is somewhere in the same category as the tired “I walked blah, blah miles to school” admonition given so often in prior generations by parents to their school children.

I truly can understand that if some ill-qualified, unproven woman was a candidate with no grasp of the issues, no ability to publically speak, no credible ideas - and this woman was running for President that women would not support her.  I believe Hillary is pretty much at the top of the heap of qualified women.

Yet, there is palpable almost grotesque dislike for this woman.  I recently read a Newsweek article about a book written by someone who put together essays by intelligent, well-educated, prosperous women on why they disliked Hillary.  The author concluded that none of the reasons are based on issues or facts.  The reasons given were silly, such as not liking the color of clothes or jewelry she chooses, or a certain way she talks, etc.

I don’t think many women understand the misogyny that infests our country.  I am stymied why this seems to be of little concern to most women.  I watched the Bill Maher show on cable this Friday.  He did a bit that was in such poor taste about how Hillary changed her personality so many times as a candidate.  What was most disturbing was that he suggested in one comment that all women do this and was enjoying commiserating with his male panel members that men would never do that.   They were all laughing and nodding agreement as if someone asked them if they wanted to be the annual People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Male.  This single example does well to represent an attitude and behavior the pervades our American culture.

I like Barack Obama and understand his charisma and message of hope for change in our country.  Most people have been unhappy with government and are excited to contemplate that they might get a government they feel they can support.  I also feel that comparatively the differences between Obama’s and Clinton’s viewpoints and policies are slight.

But, even before Obama’s last 11 wins, women were not in large backing Clinton.  I get the impression that women do not care that much or feel that their lives would not be greatly affected by having a woman President.  I am not going to go over the statistics here about parity for women in business in position, title, or salary.  Most women know that in most categories they represent less than 10%.  Doesn’t it make sense then that having a woman President would help our society accept women as leaders?  Why isn’t that important to a majority of women – especially women in business?

Now, if one accepts the likelihood that Obama’s win is a given, when can we even get close to finding a woman who is both qualified and willing to withstand the unparalleled scrutiny any woman would have to face.  This saddens me.

The dilemma here seems obvious.  In order to become a party’s candidate, a woman must be liked.  It seems in order to be liked as a candidate of high office in our society; a woman must meet the standards that have been perpetuated since and before Betty Crocker or Marilyn Monroe. If she is tough and has demonstrated the qualities and ability to win – a woman she is not going to be popular.

So how do we move forward? I believe we want to achieve parity and be able to reach greater heights in business and politics.  Am I wrong?  If I am right, how do we alter our behavior so that we put ourselves in a position to wield power?  We know women have a natural aversion to power.  Does that mean that we will never accept that power is needed to gain equality in position, title, and salary in our workplaces?

If Hillary isn’t good enough, who will be?