I have heard there was a sexual revolution.  Having been born in the 60’s and raised in the 70’s, tales of Women’s Lib, burning bras, and equal rights were just that, tales.  I was raised by a mother who, a child of the 40’s and 50’s, believed that a woman’s sole purpose in life was to find a man.  She once told me I was lucky to be smart, because no man would be interested in my looks.

I look around today, and while it seems we have come a long way, we still have so far to go. In fact, I think these days, women have even more pressure on them than ever.

During the recent election year there were times when I would scream at both the TV and computer.

I am not a big fan of Hillary Clinton, but I think she is symbolic of the conundrum a working woman is faced with. Since she first came to prominence as First Lady, she has been scrutinized as being too pushy, or too vocal. After all, First Ladies were “allowed” their pet projects, but they weren’t really supposed to be political. She certainly wasn’t stylish enough. She wasn’t pretty enough, hell, she wasn’t even feminine enough! I saw more than a few tabloid headlines claiming her to be a lesbian.

I have to hand it to her; she tried a few “looks”- the hairstyles softened; the clothing styles changed a bit, while never totally stepping away from who she was.

Things were pretty quiet when Hillary became a Senator, reports about her actually focused on whether or not she was getting the job done. Then came the Presidential Primaries, and we were right back to 1952!

Something that always bugged me is that women are forced to choose. If you were a tomboy, then you weren’t supposed to like boys.  If you were a good mother, you weren’t supposed to have a career. A job was O.K., you had just better not get too attached to it.  You can either be a fashionista or one of those poor schmucks who just looks like a slob all the time.  No middle ground, ever

So there was Hillary back in the news, not because she’s ahead or behind in the polls, or because of some landmark speech she made.

She cried.

No, not even cried, she got choked up, showed a bit of emotion. She’s not supposed to do that, she CHOSE the route of the tough girl, and once you choose that route you are not allowed to go back.

Can’t have it both ways, you know.

Along comes Sarah Palin, the hot chick. Men were lusting after her, and women were copying her clothes, hairstyle, even her glasses. After all, she had the “hot librarian/sexy teacher” look down to a science.

She was paraded around like a show pony, gave a few rousing, if very scripted speeches, and was scrutinized even more carefully, because after all, a hot chick couldn’t be very smart, could she?

Her family was proof positive that a woman who gets too involved in her career lets her family fall apart. I doubt she’s the first politician to have one of their offspring get pregnant, or get someone pregnant; it’s just that male politicians aren’t blamed for their families’ difficulties.

She was criticized for not being an experienced politician, something many people liken to being an experienced assassin. Honestly, considering what our “experienced politicians” have accomplished, could fresh insight have hurt? Apparently, yes.

The SNL sketch was funny, truly amazing comedy. But, for me, it just highlights how far we have not come, that the smart girl can never be sexy and the hot girl can’t be smart.

The sketch showcased the fact that even though our Election year was a momentous time in history, it came down to a beauty contest.

Hillary got all the answers right, and Sarah could sell the goods. If only we could combine them, we'd have the perfect candidate!

All the while, both women were subjected to questions no male politician has ever been asked.

It is only by sheer will that my TV and computer screens are both still intact.