In 1917 Jeanette Rankin was elected to Congress from Montana – the first woman elected to Congress from any state. She was a Republican, pacifist and suffragette. Since then, only 229 have served. As of the Elections of 2008, 75 women were serving in the US House of Representatives; a mere 17.2% of the total. Currently there are 17 women in the United States Senate. Again 17%.

The first woman to serve in the Senate was Rebecca Felton who served for one day! The first woman elected to the Senate was Hattie Caraway elected in 1932. No women served during the periods 1922-1931, 1945-1947, 1973-1978; however, since 1978 there has been at least one lady in the Senate. The first time there were three women in the Senate was 1992.

In other areas of government, women have been sadly overlooked. Since the founding of America, only 26 women have served as governors. For more on the service of women go to: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/research/reports/BookofStates.pdf

There have been a few federal appointees. The first woman appointed as a federal Judge was Genevieve Rose Klein appointed as a Customs Judge by President Coolidge at a salary of $10,000 per year. FDR appointed Frances Perkins, Secretary of labor and served throughout his presidency.

Today, there are some 300 Million people in the United States; over half of whom are female – actually 51.1%. I have written pieces decrying the lack of military veterans in our bloated government. Now, I ask, should we not now endeavor to get more of another great resource into active government?

Only two women, Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin, have been on the ballot in a presidential election. That in and of itself speaks badly of our system. Women have served brilliantly, courageously and with conspicuous good judgment in many capacities, in many countries including our own. They have been given short shrift when it comes to the top jobs.

One of America’s Top Teat pilots is Christine Walsh. She is one of five female test pilots at Boeing. Captain Jamie Jamieson is the first operational and combat-ready pilot of the F-22 Raptor. Woman have proved their courage and will to serve America since Molly Pitcher at Monmouth during the Revolutionary war. There can be no doubt of their willingness nor their ability. Some interesting facts are found at the following site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_United_States_Navy#Pre-World_War_I

A female, Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hooper was instrumental in the development of COBOL Computer Language.

Women have other credentials besides the obvious; maternal instinct provides them with a gentler side that melds well with officials from other parts of the world. By and large women are more trustworthy than males and they are not as predisposed to extramarital escapades. In other words, they have more pluses than minuses. A for instance would be, Margaret Thatcher.

When I look at all the so-called prospective presidential candidates for 2012, I quickly brush aside the pretenders, and my focus zooms in on two very bright, savvy, honest and very good looking ladies I would love to see in the Oval Office. In my opinion either could head the ticket and get America headed in the right direction. Take your pick; you couldn’t go wrong: Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann, in tandem would be a winner.

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