What I Want in a New Pope

Written By: Kim - Mar• 11•13

The Catholic Church’s cardinals are in conclave. Starting tomorrow, they will begin voting on a new pope. Here’s are three things I want our new pope to seriously consider.

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

Swiss Guards protect the Vatican and the pope. ©Mike Howard

1. A true role and voice for women. I understand the Catholic church’s long history of men running the show. But, there are no women in positions of power at the Vatican. There, I said it out loud. My local church still stands and lightening has not struck me (yet). It’s about time that the men who run the Catholic church let the women who comprise a large portion their flock have a direct voice to the pope. There is something inane about a group of celibate, single men telling women how to do things. I am not suggesting that the church drastically change it’s stance on issues overnight. I am simply suggesting that women have a direct voice to the church’s CEO: the pope. When you surround yourself with people just like you, you have limited perspective. I don’t care how holy you are. I am simply asking that you expand your horizons.

2. A voice for abuse victims. Some of you created it. Many of you overlooked it. The church condemned it but only after news agencies caught wind of it. Do not let this happen again. Ever. VIRTUS training is only a starting point. Stop protecting your own and turn them in to the local police. Defrock them once they are found guilty. It’s really pretty simple.

3. Look ahead instead of becoming steeped in tradition. As with any CEO, the board of directors, shareholders and employees expect you to be able to see around corners. Tradition is nice for ceremonies, but that’s about it. Look ahead a decade or two and decide where the Catholic church needs to go.

Start A Female Revolution

Written By: Kim - Mar• 04•12

Women in the US are mad as hell, but what are we doing about it?

  • This week, Rush Limbaugh’s slur about a female Georgetown University law student, Sandra Fluke, calling her a slut and a prostitute, resulted in women everywhere revolting. He has since then apologized.
  • Last month, the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s denial of funds to Planned Parenthood resulted in such an outcry that it took less than a week for the organization to reverse its decision.
  • Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia legislature recently passed a watered-down version of a law requiring women seeking abortions to get an ultrasound, even in cases of incest and rape.
  • A recent Washington Post editorial from February 24 discusses how the Catholic Church, the staunchest supporters of no birth control, almost voted in favor of allowing it in the late 1960s.

I don’t care which political party you belong to. Nor, do I care what your stance is on abortion and birth control. I do care that women are still not represented in places of power. This is not a world I want to leave to my daughter.

My daughter, the swim goddess.

The 2010 Census shows that half of the USA’s population are women. We’ve had the right to vote since the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was approved in 1920 — almost 100 years ago. Yet, according to the WCF Foundation, women only hold 17% of the seats in Congress. Only 22% of state elected executive offices have a woman at the helm. Only 6 out of 50 states have a female governor. These numbers do not represent 50%. Hell, they don’t even represent 25% of our country’s population.

If we do not like what legislatures, organizations and churches are doing that impact us, what are we doing about it? If we want a seat at the table, we have to push for it. The men aren’t going to simply hand it over. Why are women reactive instead of proactive? When did we give up on allowing our male-dominated culture, legislation, business, and yes, even our churches, determine what is best for us? Is this what you want your daughter or granddaughters to live with? I don’t.

All of the women I know have the skill set to hold public office. They work inside and outside the home and are incredibly professional. They volunteer in their children’s schools. They are well informed about issues affecting their families. The juggle multiple commitments and rely on their network when necessary. And, they do all of this within a budget. Yet, no one I personally know except one woman, has stepped up to run for public office at a local level. Local political office is a stepping stone to state and national office. In all of these places, women can affect change.

As I watch the slate for Republican presidential candidates continue to try to earn a top spot for nominee, they all have something in common. You’re smart. What do you see? Three white men. I’ve got nothing against white men. Five men in my life happen to be white and I love them. There have been white men, but only one African American man, in my life who have helped me professionally. What has been lacking is a more diverse pallet. How can we manage better diversity when those in charge aren’t diverse?

There’s no diversity in our pool of power. When President Obama was running the Democratic nominee for president in 2008, there was only one female candidate: Hillary Clinton. So, I ask again: Why are we not involved more in politics? Why are we letting men determine what is best of us? How can we make our voice heard more?

To quote a favorite bummer sticker of mine: stop bitching and start a revolution. We have the skills. We have the rights. Let’s do something about it.