Judith Woods# OK for women# to be sexist#

Judith Woods writes (see below) a creditable piece on Theresa May in last weeks Age
But even

she serious as she is cannot get over the "thing" about women! She has to comment on her elegance and how she will fill out a fashion piece.

It is interesting that there have been several items on Theresa May most of which take a serious view but also most of which fall into the trap of describing or hinting at her femininity. It is a s though we are hard wire to do this. Even trained professional hard headed journalists fall into this "trap"  is it a trap or just the way we are?

Either way it is an interesting point as our experience in Australia  with the treatment of Ex Prime Minister Julia Gillard  leaves one a little uncomfortable with the treatment of women politicians and personalities. That it is often professional women commentators and peers that seem to be leading this charge  is an interesting angle indeed.

Should we worry or are we reading to much into this? Perhaps, but it is an insight into how we categorise and catalogue people on their appearance, age, dress, ethnicity, occupation but above all on their sex.

I have covered this in my Book "Daughters" and in other blogs but it is still endlessly fascinating. Is it Natural or Social induced?      Is it both?

May will stand tall on world stage

July 12 2016 The Age Newspaper

• Judith Woods

Last Friday I met prime minister-in-waiting Theresa May for the first time. Way back then she was front-runner in the newly declared two-horse race for the prime ministership against rank outsider Andrea Leadsom.
As we sat for a mostly serious chat – all interactions with May are mostly serious – I looked her in the eye and asked her outright if she had always dreamt of leading the country. "I don't think of myself in that way," she said. "I certainly don't think anybody can be the new Margaret Thatcher; she was absolutely unique. I just get on with the job at hand and do it to the very best of my ability. That's what I have always done."

Theresa May: star example. Photo: PA

And, you know, I believed her. I still do.
I suspect – as with a great many successful women who never quite climb as high as they should – she has always held dear to the middle-class mantra (myth) that diligence and assiduousness will be noticed and rewarded.
And finally, aged 59, the field has been cleared for this grammar schoolgirl. Was that a cheer going up in the shires? Knowing May, she will probably mark the occasion by cracking open a celebratory ministerial red box or two. And really enjoy it.
She's been (now famously) described as a "bloody difficult woman", but "bloody serious woman" might have been nearer the mark. Unlike Mrs Thatcher, who could do an effective line in feminine guile and flirtatiousness when she needed to, May does not use her gender to charm. Ever.

Advertisement

I'm not sure she's even capable of it. She uses well-formulated argument instead, which I can imagine rather ruffles the feathers of Westminster's strutting peacocks.
Tall, slender and well groomed, we can expect British designers to queue up to dress May. And quite rightly so, as showcasing creativity will be all part of the job. Although she possesses an innate elegance, self-consciousness about her height (168 centimetres) has led to a habit of bending slightly so as not to discomfit those around her.
However, when she becomes our prime minister, there's no question of her stooping to conquer. I think she will make for a striking figure on the world stage and if she stands head and shoulders above other leaders that will be very much their problem, not hers.
When she walks into a room she has bearing and presence; a smile too, but one underpinned with purpose. "The PM role involves more meetings with leaders and building relationships," she said. "But I've done that with the various interior ministers, because (as Home Secretary) there's often a great amount of negotiation involved."
May, of course, was a Remainer, although not a terribly outspoken one. There are those who continue to feel concerned that a Leaver would be better placed to win Britain the best deal. They are wrong.
May made it clear to me that she intends to unite party and country, while disuniting Europe. Brexit may not have been her choice, but she will get the job done. We live in serious times and that demands a serious politician. May the Force be With Us.
Daily Telegraph, London