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Introduction: Americas's New Power Brokers
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10785 |
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CURRENT ISSUES
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3 / 1993 |
604 Words |
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With Hillary Clinton in the White House, 54 women in the U.S. Congress (double the highest previous total), and female entrepreneurs reaching a critical mass, 1993 promises to be the real Year of the American Woman.
Women voted for Bill Clinton over George Bush 47-36 percent last November and made pro-choice and Anita Hill into major issues. Emily's List spent $3.5 million on candidate and issues and established itself as one of the most effective political action committees in the country. Women held high positions in the Clinton campaign, and tree have been appointed to his cabinet. A second woman on the Supreme Court is a strong possibility.
This new political power of American Women was made possible, in large part, by their increased economic power. Women ownership of U.S. business has hit a new high, with 28 percent of all companies, including major corporations, now owned by women. Women employ more people than all the Fortune 500 companies.
What will be the impact of this new womanpower on American politics and business in the 1990s? What new political issues will emerge, and what old issues will recede? Will women, who are a majority of the population, ever own a majority of the population, ever own a majority of American business?
The most powerful woman in American politics for the next four years, according to Washington Times political writer Elisabeth Hickey, will be Hillary Rodham Clinton, described by her husband, President Clinton, as his closest adviser. Hillary Clinton, who has an office in the West Wing, will attend cabinet meetings and has been directed by the president to develop a health-care policy.
The 24 new women in the House of Representatives have vowed to work together, says Hickey, to increase their political clout on issues like sexual harassment. New Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Diane Feinstein of California will serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, a previously all-male enclave.
Laura D'Andrea Tyson is the first woman to head the president's Council of Economic Advisers. Donna Shalala, the new secretary for Health and Human Services, will play a key role in implementing two of Clinton's key issues--welfare and health care reform.
Both feminists and traditionalists will be closely monitoring
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