Women on both sides of the aisle deserve recognition for their accomplishments – their contributions to this country. But to many in the media, it seems, only women with a particular ideology count.
In other words, Democratic, liberal, or progressive women.
March marks Women’s History Month, which is intended to celebrate women from all walks of life. But some in the media, from entertainment magazines to major news outlets, appeared to erase Republican and conservative women from their stories – stories recognizing this women’s month. Outlets including People and NBC News recognized Democrats including Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. But Republican women, conservative women, didn’t make the cut.
Kay C. James, the president of the Heritage Foundation, predicted as much in a piece published on March 3.
“The media and entertainment industries tend to downplay many of the contributions made by outstanding trailblazing women—if they also happen to hold conservative viewpoints,” she wrote.
There were countless conservative women the media might recognize, she pointed out, from Amy Coney Barrett to the wave of newly-elected representatives holding conservative and pro-life values.
Will Americans “see women’s magazines, history websites and media outlets laud Amy Coney Barrett, the first Supreme Court justice and working mom?” James wanted to know. “What about the women of the new freshman class in the House of Representatives—the largest number of conservative women to win seats in the House in U.S. history—a group that more than doubled the number of right-leaning women in Congress?”
There were also the “Condoleezza Rices, the Joni Ernsts and the Carly Fiorinas of the country” to consider.
She concluded, “I won’t hold my breath.”
And she shouldn’t have. While the media recognized several women, all of the politicians they listed were Democrats. All of the political figures they noted leaned left.
For Women’s History Month, People magazine looked at the “15 Times Women Made History in the Past Year” on March 10. For their first person, they chose Vice President Kamala Harris.
“That's Madam Vice President to you!” Andrea Wurzburger wrote of the “first female, first Asian-American and first Black Vice President.”
Other Democratic figures listed included former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who People credited with turning Georgia blue, and Cori Bush, the “first Black Congresswoman in the history of Missouri.”
Of the political figures there, People named not a single Republican or conservative woman.
Likewise, Elle compiled “20 Of Our Favourite Outspoken Feminist Celebrities, From Beyoncé To Emma Watson” on March 16. But the list didn’t just stick with celebrities. It expanded to political figures.
“While there has been progress in recent years when it comes to gender equality, many challenges remain, whether it's the ongoing gender pay gap and the gross underrepresentation of women in political leadership positions,” the Elle team wrote. “However, what we need more than ever is feminist celebrities using their platforms to continue the fight.”
Those “celebrities” included feminist icon Gloria Steinem and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.
Among other things, “AOC's progressive politics and unflinching confidence on the House floor have helped inspire a new generation of voters across party lines,” the Elle team reasoned.
On March 5, NBC’s Today compiled “16 quotes for Women's History Month to share with your kids.” That’s because writer Kait Hanson wanted parents to “let your children know about the impact each of these women had on history.”
The list included sayings from Democratic politicians and figures, including former first lady Michelle Obama, former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.
Again, Republican and conservative women went missing.
In another list for NBC News, writer Halley Bondy recognized “8 awe-inspiring women who are making history RIGHT NOW.”
As “we honor the contributions of the incredible women who came before us, it’s equally important to recognize those who are making history right before our eyes,” she wrote on March 9.
Those women included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.
Women matter and should be celebrated. But media lists like these send the message that only some women matter: Democratic, liberal women. If the media truly want diversity and tolerance, they must also consider Republican and conservative women – and their voices. Otherwise they become a part of the problem. Otherwise they discriminate against women.
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