Carol Anne Costa: Women Swimming Upstream…This Time With An Ally
Thursday, January 16, 2014
RI gubernatorial candidate Gina Raimondo could emerge as an empowering voice for women, believes Carol Anne Costa.
According to The Shriver Report:
• Women are nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers in the country.
• More than 70 percent of low-wage workers do not receive paid sick days.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST• 40 percent of all households with children under the age of 18 include mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income.
• The median earnings of full-time female workers are still just 77 percent of the median earnings of their male counterparts.
The Shriver Report contains empirical data bolstered by firsthand stories of struggle, tears, and triumph of women from all over this nation. It is just that—herstory. It represents the day-to-day struggle of women and the consequences of that struggle on children, families, the workforce, and life in general. The women who work, raise and nurture children, care for aging parents, and run households, oftentimes on a wing and a prayer who inspire us to stand up and honestly evaluate the value of women on the economy, quality of life, dignity of the aged, and empowerment of children. But, more than value, we need to be ready to find a voice and tap the “powers that be”. From my point of view, strong voices flow from the levers of power—in both business, and in politics. That is why the formal entrance of Gina Raimondo into the gubernatorial race is a welcome development, as it is akin to having a kindred spirit as the chief executive of our state. It will, I am certain, have a direct effect on the empowerment of women and women's issues, which redound to society as a whole.
Herstory
Do not let the term “report” throw you. This is a passionate collection that is well worth your time. The personal stories contained therein are persuasive and moving, including a piece written by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. These narratives provide a window into the uniquely female battles which occur each day, for so many families. I urge a download as the essays and stories are powerful. They hold up a mirror, some instances in which you can find yourself. Our stories make us and sometimes break us and until we share, talk, and move to make a difference they are merely recollections and words on a page.
Neera Tanden, Director of the Center for American Progress writes in part of her preface to the report, “My mother was on her own. Having never held a job before, she faced the choice of going back to India or going on welfare to support her two young children. In India, we would have been stigmatized; no one got divorced there in the 1970s. She knew that the children of a divorced woman would have limited life opportunities in India.” Neera’s story continues and provides a chronicle of the ebb and flow of families facing adversity and uncertainty. A RI woman also has a personal story to tell, it is not in the Shriver report but, it is a very real journey...
There but for the grace of God…
At 33 years of age she lost 2 young parents in the span of 6 months. She had a sister 10 years her junior returning from college. She had a family home to retain and maintain, all on an annual salary of $21K. She was faced with decisions that previously never entered her realm of reality but became real in a hurry. A paycheck became the difference between 'survive' and 'thrive'. For her, the term "robbing Peter to pay Paul" became a practical “means to an end”. And to most of her bosses and colleagues she was just another “nice” girl; not a woman trying to keep a family afloat, or a home for equity or move forward to achieve dreams for her and her sister. She endured the torture of being a college graduate tethered to a job merely for healthcare benefits, which at the time could not even extend to her only sibling. For her, growth was not in the picture; paying taxes, insurance, and filling the oil tank and fridge were.
That young woman was me. Let me be frank, these experiences live long in the form of credit issues, debt, and lots of personal anxiety. Unlike so many others, I was extremely lucky to have a strong extended family network combined with a driving will to prevail and I emerged stronger for the experience. Perhaps that is why I live the principle of walking a mile in another's moccasins, I acknowledge kindness swiftly, and extend gratitude robustly. I guess that is why my motto became, “help first, question later.” I shudder to think if I had a child to care for at the time. Never forget that so many women, men, and families are one paycheck away from disaster. That reality is sobering, and frightening.
From the Public Library to Harvard
Gina Raimondo is a lightning rod. She too has a story. But what we do know is she attracts supporters and dissenters alike, and faces them both with candor. Could it be that her story is like so many others'? With grandparents and parents who built the dreams of immigrants, with hard work, faith, and family. A scenario where a man (Gina’s dad) who gave service to the nation, who did all the right things only to see his job outsourced. It must be a difficult thing to witness a father and mother struggle through unemployment and uncertainty.
Is it Raimondo’s drive, determination and dedication to family which create a timely candidacy? I think so. As the state and the country are finally paying heed to income inequality, collectively examining poverty, and assessing the incredible stress on the safety net, we have a candidate who can recognize first hand a woman’s battle. A battle to raise children, run a household, and care for aging parents. So, as I read the Shriver Report, I see the chance to promote an agenda which at the very least brings women to the table. I am particularly impressed with the prescription. Shiver’s research tells us there are 10 things we can do:
1. Get The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Pushes Back from the Brink at www.ShriverReport.org. Read it, discuss it, implement it, and pass it on.
2. Get smart. Build a stable foundation for your future by putting college before kids. Women with only a high school diploma are three to four times more likely to live on the financial brink than those with a college degree.
3. Invest in yourself. Today’s women and girls need to think of themselves as providers in their families, not provided for. Increase your own earning power, learn about savings plans, and be financially savvy.
4. Use your economic power. You can hold businesses accountable with your money. Be an informed and influential consumer by supporting companies that create a more conscious, caring, compassionate workplace for their employees.
5. Engage men as allies. These issues are everyone’s issues. Fathers, sons, and brothers are part of the solution and many are poised to partner.
6. Vote. But don’t give your vote away. Make candidates earn it. Vote for women and men who want to modernize the nation’s relationship to women and their families. Support laws that can add half-a-trillion dollars to the national economy by closing the wage gap.
7. Be a 21st-century “boss,” even at home. Recognize the power you have to impact women. Provide benefits and workplace supports for your child care providers and people who help you with elder care. Offer sick days, be flexible with schedules, leave good tips for waitresses and room attendants when you travel, and educate yourself and your employees about government programs that can help.
8. Finance women’s work. Invest in women entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations that support, promote, and respect modern American families.
9. Mentor and motivate girls. Be a Life Ed teacher to the girls in your life. Teach them about the importance of making smart decisions—financial, personal, and educational—that enhance their self-esteem and their career prospects. Foster the mindset that girls must invest in themselves and that they have the power to succeed.
10. Be an architect of change. We can push back from the brink.
When Women are in Charge Things Happen...
We know now that when more women became doctors and medical researchers is when the fight against breast cancer and female health issues saw its greatest gains. So if we draw a line toward politics is it not crazy to think that empowering women in policy making and leadership roles will reap results for everyone, as evidenced recently by the advancement of addressing sexual assault crisis in the Military, measures pushed by Senators Gillibrand and McCaskill?
At the Raimondo kickoff event a woman whom I did not know turned to me and with a great big smile queried, “Can you feel the estrogen in the room? It feels good.” Take it from me, I thought to myself, as I have been in plenty of politically charged, testosterone filled rooms and I agree wholeheartedly, the change feels good. Read, vote, fight for paid leave, and good childcare, mentor, uplift women, and bring a change.
Full Disclosure: I am a supporter of Gina Raimondo in her bid for Governor.
Carol Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently a public housing manager. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.
Related Slideshow: 10 Questions Gina Raimondo Has to Answer When Running for Governor
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