Holes in the Glass Ceiling

Under a bright Phoenix sky, Arizona’s new governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and schools chief posed together for the cameras after they took their oaths of office. These five, who wore tailored suits, “sensible” heels and victorious smiles, are certainly the most dramatic manifestation of the growing success of women in elective office nationwide. With Monday’s inaugurations, Arizona has become the first state with an all-female line of succession.

But consider this: Women have held both of California’s seats in the Senate since Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer first were elected in 1992; Congress now has 56 women, more than at any other time, and the California Senate numbers 10 women among its 40 members, the most ever.

Not so long ago, women in politics were curiosities, outliers, “onlys.” There was Margaret Chase Smith, the gentlewoman from Maine with a red rose on her lapel, the lone woman in the U.S. Senate during her 24 years there. Or New York’s Rep. Bella Abzug, with her oversize hats and rhetoric.

No longer are women in politics always news, and no longer do they expect to win on “women’s issues” alone. The “Year of the Woman,” 1992, has given rise to politicians who happen to be women.

What remains to be realized is the Holy Grail, the presidency. Other nations have installed women as their heads of government--India, Israel, Norway and Ireland, to name a few--but in the United States the climb has ended at Geraldine Ferraro, who made an unsuccessful run for vice president in 1984.

Republican Elizabeth Dole might aim to change that; her resignation Monday as head of the Red Cross raised new speculation that she plans a run for the White House in 2000. But the day truly to look forward to is not so much when the first woman goes to the White House as when the president’s gender doesn’t matter.