Marcy Resnik | Women Lawyers in Politics: Breaking Barriers and Creating Change
Marcy Resnik said in recent years, women lawyers have made significant strides in the political sphere, breaking barriers and creating positive change. From Kamala Harris, the first woman, and first person of color to be elected as Vice President of the United States, to Stacey Abrams, a lawyer and voting rights activist who played a key role in turning Georgia blue in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, women lawyers are making their mark in politics. In this article, Marcy Resnik will explore the role of women lawyers in politics, the challenges they face, and the strategies they use to succeed.
The Role of Women Lawyers in Politics
Women lawyers have played a crucial role in shaping political policy and legislation. They bring a unique set of skills, including the ability to analyze complex legal issues, negotiate and draft laws. And advocate for social justice. Women lawyers have been instrumental in advancing women’s rights, civil rights, and environmental protections. A recent example of this is the landmark decision of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a case argued by a team of women lawyers before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. The decision affirmed a woman’s constitutional right to access safe and legal abortion. And invalidated state laws that placed undue burdens on women seeking abortion services.The Challenges Women Lawyers Face in Politics
Women lawyers in politics face many of the same challenges as women in other industries, including pay inequality, lack of access to senior leadership positions, and gender bias and discrimination. Marcy Resnik said in addition, women lawyers in politics often face heightened scrutiny of their appearance and behavior, and are held to different standards than their male counterparts. The underrepresentation of women in politics is another challenge that women lawyers face. Women make up only 23.7% of the U.S. Congress, and this number is even lower in other countries. This lack of representation makes it difficult for women lawyers to have their voices heard and to advance policies that promote gender equality.Strategies for Success in Politics
Despite the challenges they face, women lawyers have developed strategies for success in politics. These strategies include:- Building networks: Women lawyers in politics understand the value of building strong networks of supporters, mentors, and allies. By fostering these relationships, they are able to receive the support, guidance, and opportunities necessary for advancing their careers. Such networks can provide a sense of community and belonging in an otherwise male-dominated field. In politics, where personal connections are critical to success, women lawyers can leverage their networks to gain access to resources, information, and opportunities that might not otherwise be available to them. Ultimately, building networks is an essential strategy for women lawyers in politics who seek to break barriers and create change.
- Finding allies: Women lawyers in politics find allies who share their goals and values, and work together to advance policies that promote gender equality and social justice.
- Advocating for change: Women lawyers in politics use their legal and advocacy skills to effect change. They work to advance policies that promote gender equality, protect civil rights, and advance social justice.
- Embracing their identity: Women lawyers in politics embrace their identity and use their unique perspective to shape policy and legislation. They use their experiences to inform their decision-making and to advocate for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
