By Nicole 

The political atmosphere surrounding the presidential primaries is enough to ruffle even the most apathetic feathers. The idea that the first woman could be elected next November is particularly exciting for those of us who long to see a change in the status quo. This charged political climate has me thinking more deeply about women in politics, particularly at Bowdoin. Now that women hold nearly half of all jobs in the US, are about half of the nation’s college graduates and are currently enrolling in equal numbers to men in law school, the time is right to question how the Bowdoin Bubble measures up in regards to women’s political representation.

           

 

To start, let’s be clear that the US is no leader in women’s political representation. As of 2007, we ranked 82nd in the world for women serving in the national legislature. Of 100 women senators, only 16 (16%) are women, while 71 women are represented in 435-seat Congress (16.3%). Nine women hold the title of governor of the 50 states (18%) and in President Bush’s cabinet women hold 4 of 15 positions (26.7%). These numbers should not be the standard for successful political representation for women in other contexts in the United States.
       

Here at Bowdoin, women are not playing follow the leader. In the 101 clubs and organizations chartered on campus, women hold 109 of 215 leader positions (50.7%) and 46 of 101 treasurer positions (45.5%). Unfortunately, the numbers of women’s participation in Bowdoin Student Government is not nearly as equal. Out of the 26 members, 10 women vote in the assembly (38.5%). As we move higher in the ranks, the President is male, along with all 5 of the Vice Presidents. The only female member sitting on the officer team is the Treasurer. The only published study I found on campus student government participation recorded slightly better participation. Of 21 Midwestern comprehensive universities, 28.6% of President and Vice Presidents were female and all together women held 47.9% of student government positions. Although we do not normally compare Bowdoin to larger universities in the Midwest, Bowdoin has a similar gender ratio as these schools and thus is far below the mark on women’s student government participation.

        

 

I have no clear answers as to why women’s student government involvement at Bowdoin is so low. Could it be that women are not running? Do women find student government positions unfulfilling? Do women run but not get elected? If so, why do they not get elected? Is gender discrimination still a factor at Bowdoin? As we move into Bowdoin’s election season this spring, I urge all women interested in running for student government to do so and let’s all pay closer attention to the BSG elections and support women candidates that run this April. Why be content with the status quo?