In Theory, Agency Is a Right

In a May 27th interview about a book published on June 4, The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America by NYT journalists Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer, Hillary Clinton remarked, “Too many women, particularly young women, do not fully grasp the immense effort and struggle that went into creating the underlying theory of Roe v. Wade.” The term “theory” comes from the ancient Greek word “theorein,” meaning to see or look at. I think the use of the word theory vis-à-vis Roe explains a lot.

By “looking at” Roe v. Wade theoretically, we can better understand the devastating implications of the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “It says that we are not equal citizens,” Clinton noted, referring to women. “It says that we don’t have autonomy, agency, and privacy to make the most personal of decisions.” Understanding the concept of agency, central to decision-making and authority, is crucial here.

Reflecting on her 2016 presidential campaign, Clinton said, “Women were the voters who abandoned her in the final days because she was not ‘perfect.’ They were willing to take a risk on Trump because he was a man, and they could envision a man as president and commander in chief.”

This stark observation underscores the need for a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and challenge entrenched societal norms. If we are to progress, we must face these realities head-on and be candid in our discussions about gender and leadership. In doing so, we adhere to the original Greek meaning of “theory”—to see or look at—urging us to delve deeper into our perceptions and confront the truth.

As we contemplate the significance of embracing truth, it’s noteworthy to observe the strides made by our southern neighbor. In 2019, Mexico passed a sweeping constitutional amendment establishing “parity in everything” — candidacies for all elected offices and top jobs in the executive and judicial branches. According to @Jennifer Piscopo, a professor of gender and politics at the University of London who studies Mexico, this is the underlying reason why Mexico elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

Women in Mexico didn’t win the right to vote for president until 1953 — three decades after their U.S. counterparts. Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1916 (4 years before women had the right to vote nationally). Nellie Tayloe Ross (Wyoming) was the first woman to serve as a governor from January 5, 1925, to January 3, 1927. For nearly 100 years, American women have been on the road to the presidency via the gateway of the governorship, whereas the first Mexican female state governor took office only nine years ago. Clearly, we still have some distance to cover.

In light of Mexico’s landmark election of its first female president on June 2, our own American riddle calls for an immediate and thorough examination. Our own path to electing a woman president has been fraught with challenges, deeply rooted in societal beliefs and historical precedents. This moment calls for immediate and thorough examination, reflection, and attention to the history and theory behind women’s leadership. Ralph Waldo Emerson is attributed with saying, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” How do we uncover this depth? Are we ready to face it? The metamorphosis will be significant.

As Franz Kafka suggested, “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” My book, Precedented: Tracing the Alternative Road to the Presidency, is this axe. It explores the past 150 years of history, uncovering who we are and what we stand for. It encourages readers to reflect on the frozen areas of women’s leadership, clearing and refreshing the path for growth and development. By examining both the historical context and contemporary challenges, Precedented provides a critical look into the journey toward achieving true gender equality in leadership, emphasizing the importance of agency in decision-making and authority. By understanding the historical significance of Roe’s fall, we can better appreciate the importance of American female leadership and envision a future where a woman in the White House is not just possible but inevitable.

In conclusion, while it may seem that progress has stalled, it is more accurate to say that women’s political representation has experienced periods of rapid growth as well as slower progress. Acknowledging both the historical achievements and the current challenges can provide a balanced perspective and encourage continued efforts toward gender equality in politics.