Girl Power

Deborah Ross’ panel was centered around domestic violence and the importance of having women in political office. Alongside Ross stood several other strong women who hold well-respected positions within Winston-Salem, as well as several Wake Forest ‘Wake the Vote’ students. Ross began her talk by highlighting the importance of the working woman and the goal of having diversity within the state and senate. She believes the state should be represented by everyone –of every color and nationality. In order to achieve this sought-after equality, Ross explained how she, along with several other women came together to attempt to combat the legislature and change the discriminatory laws, ultimately succeeding in this venture. Her current hope is to win a North Carolina senate seat and to continue paving paths for American women in today’s politics.

However, Schneider and Bos’s research claims that: “female politicians are defined more by their deficits than their strengths,” suggesting an inevitable disadvantage Ross will face in the upcoming election (Schneider, Bos 260). Schneider and Bos further explain that female politicians are seen to lack “leadership, competence, [and] masculine traits” when compared to their male opponents; and nevertheless, instead obtain negative qualities such as “uptight, dictatorial, [and] ambitious” (Schneider, Bos 260). Ross’s response to this research would most likely consist of her negating the claims stated, and combating the negative light women in politics are portrayed in. Ross firmly believes in girl power and the importance of defending the females place in politics, stating that “women are going to vote their experiences and vote for people who want to make their lives better.” Ross also discussed influential females in the political atmosphere, such as Michelle Obama and the next potential President of the United States, Hillary Clinton, at great length in order to prove that women play a major role in politics and to rally other women to support her stand.