Media Watch Assignment

Media Watch Assignment

     Barbara Mikulski, senior United States Senator from Maryland and longest-serving woman in the history of U.S. Congress, (35 years) is considered a strong leader and role model for many American women. She is the chairwoman of many subcommittees and a former U.S. Representative. She is also the longest-serving/highest-ranking Democrat who is not a present chairperson of a full standing committee. While doing research about Mikulski, many current mainstream news articles constructed her as a strong woman leader; but many times just as that- a strong woman leader.

     One Post Politics news article from The Washington Post (notoriously known for being a conservative newspaper) conveys Mikulski as an important role model for young women and includes a quote from Senator Dick Durbin who noted, “[Mikulski was] the first elected to Congress in her own right and not because of a husband or a father or someone who served before her in higher office”. The article also includes how Mikulski had to battle many stereotypes, including some that suggested women couldn’t be serious legislators.

This is a crucial observation also discussed in Eagly and Carly’s book Through the Labyrinth. The book reveals, “Gender is the first thing we notice about people, and it automatically evokes gender stereotypes…people’s stereotypes about women and leaders create resistance to women’s leadership by placing competing demands on women”. This information is important to consider, as women leaders often face the “double bind” (Eagly & Carly, pg.102), in which they have to put on a stern face and authoritative demeanor to fit the traditional leadership roles while still maintaining a softer side as a woman. Simply stated, “Female leaders face a dilemma” (101).

    This gender bias and double bind situation is also apparent in other articles, such as yet another from The Washington Post titled Barbara Mikulski, the record-breaking not-so-gentle-lady, where her actual life accomplishments are noted and recognized. However, the title itself sheds light on the gender bias, along with descriptions of Mikulski in her early career as a “onetime social worker and outspoken liberal Democrat”. If Mikulski were male, she may have been referred to as a firm, strong leader, as opposed to outspoken. Rather, her leadership would most likely not come into question.

     The article, while presenting Mikulsi in positive light, really only focuses on her achievements as the token woman. Rather than elaborating on her personal career achievements/successes, the article focuses on the fact that she is a woman in a position of leadership. Though it is important to recognize the limited number of women we have in positions of leadership and power, it is equally as important to focus on what they do as leaders, rather than simply stating that they are present and female. Several other Washington Post articles, as well as an article from The New York Times, also summed up Mikulski’s long-term career as simply the first lady of many positions

    Though it is apparent that the mainstream media’s attitudes towards women leaders has improved, it is also important to point out places where inequalities still exist until equilibrium is reached.

References

·         Pershing, Ben. "Post Local." The Washington Post News. The Washington Post, 16/04/2012. Web. 12 Apr 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/mikulski-to-become-longest-serving-woman-in-congress/2012/03/15/gIQAKkHsES_blog.html>.

·         Groer, Annie. "Post Politics." The Washington Post News. The Washington Post, 23/03/2012. Web. 12 Apr 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/barbara-mikulski-the-record-breaking-not-so-gentle-lady/2012/03/22/gIQASJ16VS_blog.html>.

·         O'Keefe, Ed. "Post Politics: 2 Chambers." The Washington Post News. The Washington Post, 21/03/2012. Web. 12 Apr 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/2chambers/post/barbara-mikulski-honored-as-longest-serving-woman-in-congress/2012/03/21/gIQA6d5JSS_blog.html>.

·         Eagly, Alice, and Linda Carli. Through the Labyrinth. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2007. 101-103. Print.