Our History is our Strength

Women’s History Month, March 2011

Our History is Our Strength

Why I like this theme… Issue of women &

power… What does one do with

this? Women warriors were

weird & even odder.. Warrior queens Every age struggles

with this…

Outside the Classical World

Cartimandua of Brigantes

Zenobia of Palmyra

The Legends & Reality

SemiramisCleopatra VII Thea

Philopator

Warrior Queens

The answer of the Ancient World The Amazons Lysistrata “No people who place a woman over

their affairs prosper” -- Mohammed on a Persian princess

How do you explain/ cope with this?

Warrior Queens

Voracity Syndrome Chastity Syndrome Holy Armed Figurehead Appendage Syndrome

“Well did she show, great Harry was her sire, Whom Europe did for valour most admire.”

Warrior Queens

Shame Syndrome “Only a Weak Woman” Syndrome Tomboy Syndrome What if she is unsuccessful?

Empress Matilda (Maud) Violated her the confines of her sex Question of Boudicca/ Boadicea

Feminist Theory & Female Rulers?

Christine de Pizan More inclined “to make peace and avert wars.”

Joan Kelly “And I know in the depth of my being and in all

my knowledge of history and humanity, I know women will struggle for a social order of peace, equality and joy.”

Honorary Male Theory Lynne Segal

“I accept that women are gentler at the moment, but if they had the same amount of power as men, they wouldn’t be more virtuous.”

We’re still sure what to do with them.

Still Fairly rare

11 Prime Ministers 10 Presidents 3 Queens Regnant 3 Governors General

11 with no women in government at all

In American Politics Victoria Woodhull, 1872

Gracie Allen, 1940

Playing with Big Boys

Supreme Court Women of the Cabinet

1933, Frances Perkins

Female U.S. Governors

Red (Rep.), blue (Dem.) and purple (both) represent states that have had female governors; white represents those that have had none

Currently: Arizona, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina & Washington

Women in Congress

535 Members of Congress

39 Female Senators Currently 17

235 Women in the House 74 Currently

Succession issue? 46 directly followed

husbands 12 followed fathers