A Woman President

Ireland President Mary McAleese, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finland President Tarja Halonen, United Kingdom of Great Britain Queen Elizabeth II, Denmark Queen Margrethe II, Netherlands Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, and USA President Hilary Clinton? Who knows?

Actually, the list of women national leaders is quite long. Thus, who would dare say that women cannot lead a nation? Yes, it's true that men have always been recognized as rulers of kingdoms and countries, but contemporary society has made it possible for women to become a nation's most powerful person. The issue of whether a woman can ever do a man's job has long been buried with history. I say, people are now more open-minded and more open for every possibility.

The United States for example, never had a woman President before. Yet, those who've seen and value the increasing roles of women in the American society would consider it a great pride and a historic highlight to send Hillary Clinton to the White House as the President instead as the First Lady. Feminism will indeed be highlighted if this happens. The old proverb "women hold up half the sky" is actually very true for Hillary since CNN polls have shown her leading over her male contender. Not that these male candidates are not trying to appeal to female voters and promote gender equality as they project themselves as brawny-yet-perceptive and gentle guys. However, they don't have Hilary's edge, that being a woman.

Though double-standards have always been the way of thinking in the society, female candidates were given due respect if they can be as tough, as confident, as authentic and as glamorous as the male candidates. It has nothing to do with gender, I believe, but it has everything to do with the person's attributes and ability to squash and do away with chauvinism. The fact that a woman can be in the position with the most powerful men on the planet is very empowering, very empowering indeed.