Women in the 21st century

Although months away, this American election is already unfolding like a great dramatic play. My favourite character in this election is Teresa Heinz-Kerry, the wife of Democratic leader, John Kerry. This week, she is best known for the woman who told a reporter of a right-wing newspaper to "shove it." But she is also an intelligent woman who is not afraid to express herself.

While Salon has a couple articles about Heinz's refreshing outspokeness, (Jennifer Foote Sweeney's "Who's Afraid of Teresa Heinz?" and yesterday's "My name is Teresa Heinz Kerry" by Geraldine Sealey), right-wing media outlets would rather paint her as a uncontrolled wild woman.

Forget that she speaks five languages fluently, improved people's lives with her philantropy and has won numerous awards for her contributions to the environment, women's rights, etc.

Ken Kurson calls her a liar. Seattle Times says she has "loose lips," and Joseph Grant Swank says Heinz is a poopy head because she said the Lord's name in vein. He was writing for Bush Country and who takes those guys seriously anyway?

As Heinz said at the Democratic National Convention earlier this week:
"My only hope is that, one day soon, women -- who have all earned the right to their opinions -- instead of being labeled opinionated, will be called smart or well-informed, just as men are."

If her argument sounds familiar it's because it echos the sentiments expressed by Martha Stewart. Stewart went on Larry King Live, earlier this year, and defended her arrogance. Of course she's not nice, she said, she's a business woman and her niceness would not be an issue if she was a man.

One is a woman with a successful business empire. The other is a wealthy philantropist. One is now a convicted criminal and the other criminalized for saying what she wants. Both are victims of an often ignored double standard. I like Heinz and I even have a soft spot for Stewart. I don't agree with all of their opinions, but as a young woman, I respect their ability to stand up and have their voice heard, even if it is often ridiculed or dismissed.