Smart girls

In October 1890, the editors of Donahoe’s magazine, one of the leading Catholic publications in America, made this observation:

“The girl who knows everything makes herself obnoxious by flaunting recently acquired knowledge. Young men dread her. Old ones have the utmost contempt for her. She is losing her womanliness.”

- Quoted by Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys.

***

I watched, on C-SPAN, all six hours of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Washington Post (LINK) summed up the day: “ … Democrats and Republicans alike praised her for her intellect and her abilities.” Even MSNBC’s Chris Matthews called her testimony “brilliant” and “a tour de force.”

***

This morning, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, by a vote of 16 to 1, overwhelmingly backed her appointment to be secretary of state.

The single vote against her came from David Vitter (R-LA). Although Vitter claimed “conflict of interest” concerns, I would question his attitude toward Democrats in general and women in particular.

***

In 1908, Donahoe’s magazine ceased publication. Read the original New York Times article.

In American cities and in London, “radical” and “militant” suffragettes had taken to the streets demanding a voice.

***

Thanks, girls, your voices are being heard.