How to Govern Like a Feminist

Hillary Clinton will not be the first world leader to recognize that women face unique battles at work and at home. But if she is elected, she will be the first American president who's able to speak to those issues from personal experience. And as the women interviewed for this story can attest, that matters.

As we enter the final election countdown, we asked 12 women in politics, policy, and media to reflect on the policies that American women need most, the women who've inspired them to succeed, and what it means to govern like a feminist.

Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State

A feminist leader has no room for mediocrity. She's going to constantly have to prove that she is the right person for the job, which means not only doing what she was hired or elected to do, but staying true to her ideals.

And while I've always felt that feminist issues are the same as human issues and that what is good for women and girls is good for men and boys, women have had to work harder to put policies in place that let them be empowered to be who they are, to make their own decisions over their own bodies, to get equal pay for equal work. That has fallen to us.

Some people may have believed that women were already empowered, that we had achieved what we set out to achieve. But if you've listened to what's been said in this election and in this country, you realize how easily progress can be reversed.

During the war in Bosnia [in the '90s], most of the victims were women. They were either raped or separated from their families or killed. I collaborated with the female permanent representatives to the U.N.—there were only seven of us and we called ourselves the G7—to lobby to have women judges on the war crimes tribunal. And we succeeded. It was very deliberate, collaborating with women in order to benefit women and to have women's voices be heard.

It's still necessary. Until recently, some people may have believed that women were already empowered, that we had achieved what we set out to achieve. But if you've listened to what's been said in this election and in this country, you realize how easily progress can be reversed by people who are not only completely incoherent, but unaware of what women's rights are in a society. We're not done yet.

Melinda Gates, Co-founder, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

In the 16 years since we started our foundation, a big part of my job has been sitting down with leaders from all over the world to advocate on behalf of women and girls. I've learned the hard way that this is not a topic that everyone is interested in. Especially at the beginning, I encountered plenty of leaders who let me know that they considered issues facing women and girls "soft issues"—and definitely not a national priority.

But that's starting to change. Increasingly, leaders are beginning to understand that no society can reach its full potential until the women who live there are empowered to reach their own potential, too. With that in mind, I think my definition of a feminist leader is someone who understands that working toward gender equality is both the smart thing and, even more importantly, the right thing to do. And the good news is that, from what I can see, feminist leaders are on the rise.

I encountered plenty of leaders who let me know that they considered issues facing women and girls "soft issues"—and definitely not a national priority.

I hope that our next president will start by championing paid family and medical leave, not only because it benefits women but because it benefits everyone: women, men, families, companies, and economies…. I'd especially like to see our next president help expand access to contraceptives to the 225 million women in developing countries who still don't have any options for preventing unwanted pregnancies. As I've traveled for the foundation, I've met so many women who tell me that having the ability to plan their pregnancies is absolutely essential if they ever hope to break their family out of the cycle of poverty. It's yet another policy that's good for women, but also good for everyone. German Chancellor Angela Merkel leads like a feminist by using her voice to insist that women and girls have a place on the global agenda. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leads like a feminist by demonstrating to his country and the world that men have an absolutely crucial role to play in this conversation, too.

Justine Trudeau with President Obama

But you definitely don't have to be a government leader to be a feminist leader. One of the first examples of feminist leadership I encountered was from my own father, who worked for many years as an aerospace engineer. There weren't many women programmers back then—and frankly, there still aren't. But when Dad put together a team, he always made a point of including female colleagues. He recognized, as great feminist leaders do—that teams are stronger when they include people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. And the work they did together was better for it.

Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress

A feminist leader is someone who both believes in and works toward a world where women and girls have equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal dignity. It's really that simple. Feminism is about more than just platitudes. You have to actually practice what you preach. If you want to be a feminist leader in business, you need to create a workplace where women have the same opportunities as men to succeed. That means providing fair wages and decent benefits; it means ensuring equal pay and paid family and sick leave; it means building a safe and healthy culture that has zero tolerance for sexual harassment or discrimination; and it means respecting and rewarding the contributions of female employees and committing to gender parity in senior positions. If you want to be a feminist leader in government, you need to support policies that empower all women to succeed. That means supporting a higher minimum wage; it means making quality, affordable child care a reality for every family; it means protecting a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions. And if you want to be a feminist leader in your community, that means pushing back against the harmful double standards for women and girls in the classroom, the bedroom, and yes, Donald Trump's "locker room."

No matter how busy things got, Hillary would always check in and make sure I was able to fulfill my responsibilities to family.

[W]hen I was working on Hillary's first presidential campaign, I was in charge of Hillary's debate preparation on the campaign, but one of the sessions overlapped with my daughter's pre-K graduation. I put my deputy in charge, but I was so worried that I was letting Hillary and my team down. As soon as she heard about it, Hillary flipped around her entire travel schedule to make sure I could go to both. I worked in Hillary's Senate office right after my first child was born. I was hesitant about taking such an intense job, but Hillary promised me we could make it work. And we did. I was able to leave every night at 6 p.m. to make it home for dinner and put my daughter to bed, and I kept working after she fell asleep. And no matter how busy things got, Hillary would always check in and make sure I was able to fulfill my responsibilities to family.

I have countless stories like [that one]—as does everyone who's ever worked for her. She showed me what true feminist leadership looks like, and I've tried to follow her example at my own organization.

Teresa Younger, President and CEO, Ms. Foundation

Feminism is the social, economic and political equality of all genders, so a true feminist leader holds this definition as [his or her] core belief and leads with feminist values in mind.

Knowing that our society's idea of leadership is linked to structures that are designed to marginalize and oppress, feminist leaders works to dismantle this fundamental idea of what power looks like. Diversity, inclusivity, intersectionality, and equity are the cornerstones of their leadership.

When constructing any policy, it is critical that we center the voices of women, especially women of color. Far too often, policy that is associated with women is viewed as a "women's issue" when in reality, issues such as immigration, mass incarceration, and gun control disproportionately impact us and our communities. We are not a monolith, and when we have a seat at the table, we bring our whole selves—meaning we bring not only our experiences, but also our family's and community's.

Feminist leaders works to dismantle this fundamental idea of what power looks like.

Feminist leadership is a mindset and it's applicable far and wide. That said, I'd like to see an accessible and affordable childcare system and the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, in particular, be a made priority in this administration.

Liz Plank, host, '2016ish' on Vox.com

[E]very issue is a woman's issue, but I'd especially love to see "women's issues" become mainstream and lose that classification. I'm sick of talking about domestic violence, sexual assault, or abortion as issues that only impact women. The reason why we haven't been successful at tackling those issues is precisely because we've labeled them that way, obfuscating men's responsibility. If men are responsible for the vast majority of violence against women, then it's a men's issue more than it is a women's issue in my opinion.

If men are responsible for the vast majority of violence against women, then it's a men's issue more than it is a women's issue in my opinion.

Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator (D—NY)

In 1995, Hillary Clinton went to Beijing and gave her famous speech and said that "women's rights are human rights, once and for all." That moment was life-changing for me. I asked myself, why wasn't I there at that conference in Beijing? I had been an Asian studies major in college, I had learned to speak Mandarin, and I knew what it meant for her to give that speech at that time in that place to that audience.

I hope Hillary makes paid family and medical leave one of her top priorities. There is always a lot of talk about infrastructure bills, and I support rebuilding American infrastructure as essential to a growing economy, but we also need to focus on human infrastructure. The laws of this country were written in the Mad Men era and have not kept pace with the modern American family.

When major life events like illness and childbirth occur, who can afford to quit their job or go without pay to take care of that family member?

Right now, more American women than ever before are their family's sole or primary breadwinner. Whether we like it or not, our economy is changing, and women's roles in it are changing. We shouldn't be the only industrialized country on earth that doesn't guarantee its workers some form of paid leave. When major life events like illness and childbirth occur, who can afford to quit their job or go without pay to take care of that family member? No one should have to choose between having a child or taking care of a sick loved one, and keeping a paycheck.

Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Feminism is the simple notion that we are all equal, regardless of gender. Feminist leaders work to build a government, culture, and society that ensures everyone can prosper and thrive–by acknowledging and working to correct the many ways that people are held back, discriminated against and marginalized because of their identities. Feminist leaders also fight for equity that takes into account gender, race, immigration status, ethnicity and national origin, recognizing that a truly just society demands an equitable society for all.

Feminist leaders shake things up and always go against every bit of conventional wisdom–they challenge authority!

When Fannie Lou Hamer organized the Freedom Democrats and demanded voting rights and civil rights for African Americans in the South, she was demonstrating intersectional feminism that elevated Black women's voices. By famously proclaiming "When I liberate myself, I liberate others," she challenged the Democratic party to live into their values and lead to greater equity in representation for all people.

When Sylvia Rivera actively resisted homophobia and transphobia at the Stonewall Inn and fought for the inclusion of transgender women of color in mainstream feminism, she challenged us to expand our beliefs around gender and rethink our notions of who feminism was fighting for.

And when Annie Clark and Andrea Pino went public about sexual assault on campus, and thousands of women came forward to tell their stories, they were leading like feminists–refusing to back down or stand back. Because they and so many more forced this issue, rape culture and how it is perpetuated is part of mainstream dialogue—and changing the way some leaders, at least, understand its toxicity and prevalence.

Kate Brown, Governor (D—OR)

Policies that expand access to the ballot are not only feminist policies, but critical to our democracy. Here in Oregon, we passed the nation's first automatic voter registration system. In just its first 10 months, the program has added well over 200,000 voters to our rolls. When women of all communities, incomes, and sexual orientations have the tools to make their voice heard, we have the power to lift up women everywhere.

Policies that expand access to the ballot are not only feminist policies, but critical to our democracy.

I got my start at Oregon's capitol as an advocate for women's issues. One of my first accomplishments was passing Oregon's Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows parents to take time off to care for their children without losing their jobs. The bill was signed into law by Oregon's first woman governor, Barbara Roberts. We've seen that when women have a voice at the leadership table, we can make our world a better place for all women and their families.

A feminist leader is someone who fights for human rights. She works to make sure every person has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. I am grateful to the women who blazed a trail before me so that I can be where I am today. My hope is that my work today will help young girls reach even higher heights in the years to come.

Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PolicyLink

As a black woman who grew up in the 1950s, I must say I think of myself as black first and woman second. So often when we think about "women's issues," we don't think about women of color. We don't think about the fact that women of color have a different set of issues. And because people of color now make up most of the United States, it's become even more critical to look at feminist policies that work for everyone.

In the twenty-first century more than one in seven American women live in poverty.

To start, the biggest issue that women of color face is the same issue that many white women face and that is poverty. It is terrible that in the twenty-first century more than one in seven American women live in poverty. And the numbers are even greater for minorities: 25 percent of black women, 23 percent of Latinas, 27 percent of Native American women live in poverty. Eleven percent of white and Asian American women live in poverty, and that is no small number. Poverty hurts women across the board, and it hurts hundreds of millions of children. But women who are black or Latina face a special burden; 46 percent black and Latina female-headed households with children live in poverty.

Poverty is the number one issue, and the solution needs to address the way poverty presents for women. It needs to go beyond making sure that people are not treated with indignity by creating pathways to the middle class. That needs to be on the docket for the next president, and it's critical to a feminist policy agenda. People who live in poverty in this country are often made to feel ashamed of the fact that they live in poverty. The way that services are delivered to them is often lacking in compassion. Poor people are often viewed as having different aspirations than people who don't live in poverty. I think all people have the same aspirations—to live in dignity, to be able to support their families in ways that allow their children to reach their full potential, to live in communities that are rich in opportunities.

Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security at Georgetown University; Co-founder, Seneca Women

A feminist leader works for the full realization of women's rights as human rights. In no country has the equality between women and men been fully achieved, whether in education, health, economic empowerment or political participation. Violence against women and girls is a global scourge, and legal and cultural barriers still impede women's progress. A feminist leader works in a visionary way to close the gender gap, works to set an example of women's leadership, and inspires others to use their own power for purpose.

When I served as Ambassador for Global Women's Issues, my charge was to mainstream or integrate women's perspectives and participation into all aspects of our foreign policy. After all, there is no way that we can grow economies, prevent conflict and advance sustainable peace, address climate change, promote good governance without the full participation of women.

Kim Azzarelli, Chair and Co-founder, Avon Global Center for Women and Justice at Cornell Law School; Co-founder, Seneca Women

I want a feminist president to bring a fresh perspective to the realities of American life today, a broader outlook that can help fix historical issues that negatively impact both women and men.

As a nation, we're still living with systems that were designed in and inherited from the era of Mad Men or Leave It to Beaver, when "family" was defined as a working dad, a stay-at-home mom, and 2.5 kids. That is just not the reality of American life today. So we're saddled with what I like to call "design flaws." We've forced women to ask themselves, "Why am I late for work, and why am I cold when I get there?" And the answer lies in the design flaws that have given us a 9-to-6 workday and a 9-to-3 school day and office thermostats programmed for the higher metabolic rates of men.

Do our pension and retirement plans assume a 1950s lifespan and lifestyle? Should housing and tax policies take into account the need for child care and elder care? Does health insurance adequately cover the basic needs of women?

A feminist leader would look at these systemic flaws and ask, "Do our pension and retirement plans assume a 1950s lifespan and lifestyle? Should housing and tax policies take into account the need for child care and elder care? Does health insurance adequately cover the basic needs of women?"

To me, feminist leadership is an inclusive style of leadership—it's about improving things not just for women but for everyone.

Linda Coleman, candidate for lieutenant governor, North Carolina

A feminist leader looks at the policies that shape our society through a lens that considers how those policies impact women and their families. And so as a feminist, I'm committed to making pre-K universally accessible and affordable. Quality pre-K education builds the foundation for a successful academic career in K-12 and beyond. I spent three years as a teacher, and I saw how education can be the great equalizer. But you have to start at the beginning by building the academic and social confidence of children regardless of their parents' income level or zip code. Better prepared kids mean better universities, a stronger workforce, and a stronger society.

40 percent of households have a woman as the primary breadwinner, which means that when a woman can't work due to illness it affects not just her, but her entire family as well as our economy.

Forty percent of households have a woman as the primary breadwinner, which means that when a woman can't work due to illness it affects not just her, but her entire family as well as our economy. The common thread here is that policies that keep women safe and healthy keep families and communities safe and healthy as well. Because men aren't traditionally family caregivers they don't tend to think about these kinds of policies and just think about the bottom line. But the reality is that these policies are good for families and the bottom line.

These interviews have been edited and condensed.