The Hollywood Meet and Greet of Politics Stomps on Sexism in High Heels
By Emma Dognin
On April 18th, 2024, the League of Women Voters of Westchester hosted its 12th annual Running and Winning Event at Manhattanville University. The event included a workshop for female high school students throughout Westchester, who met with different female political figures and interviewed them. Three WPHS students, Genesis Oquendo, Abigail Halperin and I, attended and represented our school.
The event started with a brief breakfast and introductions, and then students were assigned tables with students from other schools and various elected officials. Students were not only provided with a breakfast feast of velvety colored cakes and plates of fruit, they also received intriguing conversation on a silver platter. Next, a panel of speakers approached the podium, including Dara Gruenberg, the Deputy Mayor of Scarsdale; Yadira Ramos-Herbert, the Mayor of New Rochelle; Emilijana Ulaj, the Legislator of District 9; Margaret Cunzio, the Legislator of District 3; and Joan Grangenois-Thomas, a trustee of Port Chester. The women discussed how they initially became interested in the political sphere. Most started by getting involved in local events and described feeling imposter syndrome when they encountered sexism in a role that is primarily dominated by older white men. They all experienced being underestimated because they are women. Speakers came to each table and students had the opportunity to ask some of their own questions.
Margaret Cunzio recalled an experience of having met an individual who shook her husband’s hand rather than her own, assuming he was the politician. She also emphasized how women need to “stop saying we’re sorry.” Similarly, Emilijana Ulaj discussed how when she announced she was running for legislator, instead being asked serious questions, she was faced with personal questions such as, “When are you and Ayour husband going to have kids?” According to Ulaj, comments like this only made her work harder. Jennifer Puja, a White Plains Council Member, said that when she first ran, men asked, “Who is this little girl and what does she know?” and “Didn’t you just have a baby?” She described it as “Mean girls beyond.”
A primary focus of the women was their common stance on women’s reproductive rights. Dara Gruenberg discussed how she feels women should have autonomy over their reproductive rights and feel comfortable in their bodies. “[Denying women reproductive rights is] degrading women as equal citizens before the law,” said Emilijana Ulaj.
Shanae Williams, a District 16 legislator, discussed how she is always a supporter of women’s reproductive rights. “I’m always on the right side of women’s rights,” she said.
Shari Rosen Ascher, a Dobbs Ferry village trustee, agreed and claimed that they would never restrict men in the way they restrict women.
Interestingly, many of the women were not initially interested in going into politics, and previously held jobs as journalists or lawyers; one was a Latin teacher. Most started by being involved locally, whether at their local library meetings or running other campaigns, and later discovered they could make the change they wanted to see instead of micromanaging somebody to do it for them. They also discussed that a huge catalyst for their interest in politics occurred after Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election, which inspired them to immerse themselves in a political role and expand the number of women in the room.
The speakers also gave students interested in politics advice on confidence.
“Beyonce has an alter ego… find that,” said Yadira Ramos-Herbert.
“If your hair is purple, if you want to wear a lip ring, do you,” added Joan Grangenois-Thomas. “Sometimes we (women) feel like superwomen and sometimes we want to sit in our bed with a gallon of ice-cream (and that’s okay),” said Margaret Cunzio.
Overall, the experience provided insight into the blatant sexism women encounter in the political sphere and the importance of having women there to make a change.