Why does Sarah Palin fascinate us so much no matter which side of the political fence we sit on?  Is it because she’s a woman running for high political office?  Surely not just that; after all, Hillary Clinton aspired to even higher office, and Geraldine Ferraro rode the VP campaign bus over 20 years ago.  There are plenty of women in politics or who hold high office in the government whose faces are more familiar to us than Sarah’s; women like Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, or Anne Richards.   

So is it that she’s a mother?  Not likely.  Angelina Jolie and Martha Stewart are mothers, and we may be intrigued by them, but not in the same way that we’re intrigued by Sarah. 

Well, could it be that she is attractive and dresses well?  Blah, blah, blah; just open a magazine, turn on the TV or walk down the street of any major city and you’ll find countless attractive women who dress well.  That’s not it.

Maybe it’s because she’s from Alaska.  Sure, it’s a huge state geographically, but the population is less than 700,000 humans (but more than 900, 000 caribou according to Alaska’s Dept. of Fish and Game).  For those of us in the lower 48, Alaska seems far removed and rather exotic, but that really isn’t the most likely reason Sarah fascinates us?

So what is it then?    The reason we are fascinated with Sarah Palin is because . . . SHE’S SO MUCH LIKE ONE OF US!   She’s a wife and mother trying to balance the responsibilities of a household and family along with countless responsibilities outside of home.  She’s educated, but not with a degree from a fancy, schmancy Ivy League institution.   Like many of us, she smiles and addresses serious issues while remembering her older son who was just deployed to war, or her younger son with Down Syndrome who will face many challenges in his future.  And maybe, like many of us whose time is at a premium, she’d rather cut the glib rhetoric and get to the bottom of things. 

And yet, while we see ourselves in her in more ways than we may care to admit, most of us can’t imagine taking on even greater responsibilities than we’ve already got.  And so we ask ourselves, “If I’m barely keeping my head above water with all I’ve got on my plate, how can she possibly do a good job for the country with all the responsibilities she has?” 

But think about it; aren’t you managing to do great work both at home and on the job?  And don’t forget all the extras you manage to fit into your schedule . . .  you know, the PTA fundraiser, running kids to lessons, taking food to a neighbor who lost a loved one, serving on a committee for a civic group, and on and on and on. 

You already function as a leader, advisor, mentor, and colleague, with a little bit of the “mom” thrown in.  Aren’t you capable of accomplishing phenomenal things when you put your mind to it?  Do you know a woman who’s a mom who can’t multitask?   Betcha don’t work with men who achieve as much as you do while trying to balance all the things in their lives that you try to balance?

In 2007, according to the US Dept of Labor, a record 68 million women were employed in the US and 39% were in management and professional positions.  Clearly, women are capable of handling the challenges of home and work, including work that involves major decision-making and responsibility. 

So, it’s time to really believe that a woman who is confident in her role as wife and mother and who has proven herself as an effective leader also is capable of handling the rigors of the job of Vice President or President of the United States.  There are thousands (maybe millions) of us who aren’t afraid to be feminine and show our softer side when we need to but who can be as ferocious as a mother bear when defending those things we hold dear.  We understand what is important to families, to children, to people in general.  We can tackle enormous issues with sensibility and sensitivity, but we can also kick butt and take names later when necessary.

Lip gloss is for teens and young women.  Mature women wear lipstick for a polished, finished look.  And real women can be serious, rational, intelligent leaders as well as hockey moms.  So Sarah, you are invited to become a member of the Good Old Girls' Lipstick Leadership League.  Welcome to our ranks!! 

You can reach us by email at info@goodoldgirls.net.  We look forward to hearing from you.  Please let us know what you think, what your needs and questions are -- we will be more than happy to help.