Girl Power

The mainstream media consistently slams women for their contributions to society. From Madison Ave to D.C. to Hollywood, scathing critiques of women constantly abound dismissing the merits of female scholars (Harvard), presidential candidates (Hillary Clinton), comedians (Vanity Fair) and the female moviegoing public (Warner Bros) and their sisters behind the camera (LA Times).

While I am not naïve that a double standard exists in the professional world, it genuinely beguiles me. Never in my life have I been made to feel I was inferior to a man (except in junior high dodge ball). Like the popular clique in high school, we women have been victim to the jealous hateration all along, but have we let it stop us? I don't think so, girlfriend.

The truth of the matter is strong feminity is threatening to less ambitious people, not exclusively men. I, myself, have experienced this in the workforce but I've never let it deter me or convince me to give up. Citing Ms. Clinton's noted mentor and fellow First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's famous words, truly "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Those in authoritarian positions including the then-President of Havard University Lawrence H. Summers, Jeff Robinov at Warner Bros. and well-respected journalists across the board at top news institutions including The Los Angeles Times and Vanity Fair have publicly discussed, criticized and in worst case scenarios lambasted women's achievements or advances in the public sphere; most often blaming women for their ambition or lack thereof citing biology and womens "innate [in]ability" to match their masculine counterparts, as Summers did.

When they do match or surpass men's expectations, they are often branded as "bitches" or "dykes" or criticized for their looks. Remind yourself, if you will, of how cheerful people were when Martha Stewart, deemed the "domestic diva" was incarcerated for insider stock trading. While such a crime is seriously prosecuted in a court of law, particularly when a certain prostitute-hungry Governor ran Gotham, few have taken the heat as hard as Martha. But she didn't get out of the kitchen. She came back stronger than ever like her Viking brand appliances.

I did, in fact, work on her talk show "Martha" when it debuted on NBC. I did get to work very closely with her rehearsing the segments for her show as an improvisational partner. It was truly one of the most memorable events of my professional life but it was only a footnote. Whenever I tell people of this story, the first question I get is, "Was she a bitch?" Actually, no, she wasn't. She was quite funny.

I began to understand that despite her public image as a perfectionist, she does have a sense of humor and humility and she does expect a certain level of professionalism. Don't we all? In school, I remember being told never to sign my name onto something unless I could stand behind and fully support my words. I admit I have turned in lackluster school assignments and haven't always been prepared for every challenge that came my way but I have learned to be a fighter and I couldn't see it any other way.

Since moving to Los Angeles a year ago, I have encountered many challenges and opportunities to rise to the occasion. I have landed(what could become) a dream job and started working on my writing and comedy goals and must not settle for less than perfection. I will have to fight for it, just like everyone else.

I just hope that our public role models including Hillary Clinton will stay on for the duration of their campaigns. The truth is, we do need more female role models from the classroom to the Oval Office to the silver screen. We already have the tools, we just have to make it happen for ourselves. Zig-a-zig ah!