Friday, April 25, 2014
What We've Been Reading...
We hope you have a happy end of April, MWPC!
Finish your month by catching up on What We’ve Been Reading!
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has recently appeared on numerous media outlets and touring the country promoting her new autobiography “A Fighting Chance.” Senator Warren explains the title refers to her belief that the American middle class deserves a fighting chance during this present era of powerful lobbyists in Washington D.C influencing favorable policy for the wealthy. She describes that her middle class upbringing in Oklahoma fueled her singular academic and political passion: that the economic playing field has become rigged and equal opportunity to upward mobility has diminished.
The release of her autobiography only heightens speculation of a possible run for the presidency in the future. Although she has vehemently denied any plans to run in 2016, many are calling for the progressive senator to reconsider as they believe she is a more populist candidate than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Whatever the case may be, we are looking forward to seeing her fight for middle class families in the senate and beyond! Read more about Warren's book tour here.
This Wednesday, Hillary Rodham Clinton attended a women’s leadership conference hosted by Simmons College in Boston, where she restated her commitment towards the advancement of the rights and opportunities of girls and women. Clinton also called attention to the issue of the wage gap, and also to the issue of the confidence gap. About the confidence gap Clinton said “It’s always surprising to me how many young women think they have to be perfect. I rarely meet a young man who doesn’t think he already is” (WBUR, 2014). It seems that Massachusetts is eager for Clinton to announce her candidacy for the 2016 presidential election, but she has not disclosed any information related to this possibility. Groups such as Ready for Hillary have already started fundraising efforts for the non-existent campaign. To read more about Hillary’s visit to Boston, go here.
This Tuesday on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart criticized the gender-based double-standards that exist in U.S. politics. With special guest Elizabeth Warren, Jon Stewart criticized the way in which the media portrays male and female politicians, and the fact that women are often seen as “too emotional” and therefore deemed unfit to do their job correctly or to hold powerful positions. To watch this video, click here.
New Hampshire state Rep. Will Infantine (R) explained yesterday that the pay gap between men and women stems from the fact that men work harder, take riskier jobs and are “more motivated by money” during a House speech Wednesday against the state’s paycheck equity bill. The negotiation for the Paycheck Equity Act in New Hampshire mimics our national discussion surrounding the pay gap. Read more about this sexist rhetoric here.
