I'm always rather nervous about how you talk about women who are active in politics, whether they want to be talked about as women or as politicians.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the challenges and considerations in discussing women in politics, particularly their identity as both women and politicians.
John F. Kennedy's quote highlights the complexity surrounding the discourse on women in politics. It suggests that there is a delicate balance in acknowledging their gender while also recognizing their professional roles as politicians. This highlights the broader issue of gender representation in leadership positions, where the way women are discussed can influence public perception and their acceptance as equals in political spheres.
In practice
During a talk on gender equality, I referenced Kennedy's quote to underscore the need for nuanced conversations about women in leadership.
The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your triumphant struggle against the bestial appetites and passions of Leninism.
The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.
Today's average American is more apt to rebel against a tennis shoe not coming in the right color than against the slow erosion of our democratic freedom.
Now you have people in Washington who have no interest in the country at all. They're interested in their companies, their corporations grabbing Caspian oil.
Ours is a fully democratic government, which in our language we call a people's government.
We can't get to the $4 trillion in savings that we need by just cutting the 12 percent of the budget that pays for things like medical research and education funding and food inspectors and the weather service. And we can't just do it by making seniors pay more for Medicare.
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