Invicta Vlogs
Yesterday afternoon, I was asked an interesting question: "Did Hillary Clinton lose the election because she was a woman?"
Yesterday afternoon, I was asked an interesting question: "Did Hillary Clinton lose the election because she was a woman?"
There has long been a stigma regarding the female ability to lead. Unfortunately, this is not just held by men. As countless social science studies have demonstrated, we cannot help but evaluate people based on our stereotypes, both conscious and unconscious. According to Sheryl Sandburg, author of ‘Lean in’, our stereotype of men holds that they are “providers, decisive, and driven” whilst our stereotype of women holds that they are “caregivers, sensitive and communal.”
It is not a surprise then, that we feel uncomfortable when women defy these stereotypes, exhibiting characteristics typically associated with males. The media constantly questions the ability of women in positions of power, on all fronts. For example, it is worth considering if Theresa May would have faced such challenges to her authority, were she not a woman.
Many argue that it was the email controversy that cost Clinton the election. I disagree. I feel the emails presented an opportunity, seized by those who felt uncomfortable with female leadership, to express their biases - disguising them as a reaction to ‘tangible evidence’. After all, Hillary Clinton would have been the first female President of the United States, a tremendous shift in the status quo.
We need to be careful of these biases and allow ourselves to appreciate and admire empowered women. Neglecting to do and portraying women as weak, puts them in a vulnerable position. We have seen the devastating consequences of this over the past couple of weeks, with more and more women speaking out about experiences of sexual harassment.
Invicta is committed to providing opportunities that prepare girls to thrive beyond school, when we enter a work environment. But whether our future workplace is free from bias, somewhere we will be treated with equal respect to our male co- workers, is dependent on the environment this generation leaves behind.
So I urge you to please challenge these stereotypes and ask yourself- would I react the same way were she not a woman? As we embark upon our Theme for the Week – ‘Be Knowledgeable about Politics and Economics’, I think this would be a pertinent discussion. I am confident that on Friday, when we host high profile business men and women at our Business Lunch this week, this will be the case! We are extremely lucky to have such wonderful opportunities to ‘broaden our horizons, thoughts and outlook.’
Erin-Jane Roodt
Deputy Head Girl
