Only in the South

4 in 4

In only the 4th year since women were afforded suffrage in Kuwait, 4 women will hold posts in the ground breaking new session.

- CNN Reports

-- As one of the first four female lawmakers ever elected to Kuwait's parliament, Aseel al-Awadhi knows she has a tough road ahead in the conservative Gulf state's male-dominated legislature. Rola Dashti is one of four women who won parliamentary seats in the recent elections in Kuwait.

Still, victory is sweet.

"Even before the results, people were piling up to congratulate me either from my own district or from other districts," al-Awadhi, a university instructor, told CNN Sunday.

"I think that shows you the tremendous amount of support for women's role in politics," she said. "And I think today I can confidently say that [the] gender issue is history in Kuwait -- I mean, regarding women's role in politics."

Men have filled the seats of Kuwait's parliament for nearly five decades, and it was only four years ago that the country granted women the right to vote and run for office.

This is monumental in process and structure for Arab women. Especially considering they hold the lowest % of any group on earth in parliament or Government leadership (around 9%). Lets hope this is the beginning of a more egalitarian dialogue around the world on women's rights and leadership gifts.

But before you look down your nose and shrug off how unfairly women are treated in these "other" places. Here’s some info on the U.S. and it’s positive and negative stats on women in Government.

In 2009, 90 women serve in the U.S. Congress. Seventeen women serve in the Senate, and 73 women serve in the House. The number of women in statewide elective executive posts is 74, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is at 24.3 percent.

Women in state legislatures? All states are fortunate to have some.

Colorado is the highest ranked with 39%. SC is the lowest with 10%. 7 of the bottom 10 are from the south.

27 of our states have never had a woman Governor.

8 states presently have women Governors.

2 states have never had a women in Congress – MS and Iowa.

The international Average of women in Parliament around the globe is less than 20% - 4 to 1 in favor of men.

- Center for American Women in Politics

Now, what's the global gender breakdown you ask? 50/50. Still room for improvement.

Ivan L

Giving.....up

I work in the type of vocational arena that requires heavy doses of compassion, understanding, patience, and most of...self-giving. It's a field where people often need a supportive word or gesture along the way. It can require 2nd and 3rd chances and even some brutal honesty at just the right moment.

This field also requires a wise and intelligent leader - of which I am a reasonable facsimile. I'm not the wizziest of kids, but with some hard work, a fair amount of talent and some commitment to those I serve, the balance sheet most always ends up in the red. Maybe that is why, for me, experiences of disappointment and being let down seem to cause so much internal damage.

I have often wished I was the hard ass. The one who doesn't care what you really think and you can take it or leave it. The fleeting moments of arrogance or insensitivity I attempt end up leaving me second guessing my actions or words a few hours later. There's truly no way around having your gifts match your personality. If empathy were not in my tool box of skills, I certainly wouldn't feel bad when I get hurt. And vice-verse...If I weren't damaged by others opinions or responses to me or my actions then I most likely wouldn't have the feelings to respond to their needs or challenges.

Before I sound like a complete wuss...let me explain.

Say you have this project or task that takes years to complete. You pace yourself and slowly but diligently assess, advise, support, and construct until the project is finished. Then, after all the hard work, all the overtime, all the consultations, all the re-starts and new directions the project is marched out to the pedestal for the world to see. The praises for the project are high. The work is regarded as top notch. You know you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to complete the task and make it a success. Then, without justification or explanation, the project simply marches out the door and all those who admire it fall in line and you are left with the empty easel. No thank you. No pat on the back. No well done good and faithful servant.

I have recently reached my fill of these moments and have burned enough compassionate energy on others who seem ungrateful and selfish that I could fuel an entire fleet of Hummers delivering mail uphill in the smog filled urban area of your choice. I’m simply tired of it.

Get out the fork. Plug in the toaster. It is finished.

Ivan L