Condoleezza Rice: political career and influence

Women's Rights & Issues

Women's Issues and Achievements

Condoleeza Rice and Women's Issues

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant advancements in the pursuit of equal rights in the United States of America has been the great strides that have been made in the area of women's achievements and their ever-increasing importance in government and politics. In the early portion of the 21st century, one of the most significant women in national, and indeed international politics is Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Having come from humble beginnings and faced with race and gender discrimination literally from birth, she has reached the pinnacle of power in the American government and has played a pivotal role in many of the defining moments of the new century. In this paper, the achievements of Dr. Rice will be presented and discussed within the context of women's issues overall. Upon conclusion of this paper, the reader will not only gain a new appreciation of the history making achievements of Dr. Rice, but also of the cause of the advancement of women's issues in the modern age.

The Humble Beginnings of Condoleeza Rice

In order to gain a true appreciation of the achievements of Dr. Rice, it is important to realize the humble, yet challenging world in which she spent her formative years.

Having been born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 1950's, Dr. Rice faced several hurdles from the outset as both a woman and an African-American; not only was the American South of that era racially segregated with white people holding the economic, educational and social advantage, but beyond that, women in America in general were viewed to be inferior to men and were discouraged from pursuing higher education, let alone a professional career outside of the home. Through hard work and perseverance, the young Condoleeza became an independent, educated woman, evidenced by this exact quote of her educational background: "she (Rice) earned her bachelor's degree in political science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver in 1974; her master's from the University of Notre Dame in 1975; and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Morehouse College in 1991, the University of Alabama in 1994, the University of Notre Dame in 1995, the National Defense University in 2002, the Mississippi College School of Law in 2003, the University of Louisville and Michigan State University in 2004."

Dr. Rice's education enabled her to advance professionally, literally and figuratively taking her a world away from the segregation and strife of 1950's Alabama; ultimately, she became one of the most important people in the White House and a trusted advisor of the president himself. The key test of her political acumen and finesse came in one of her first official duties as Secretary of State in early 2005, when she served in a diplomatic capacity, traveling to France to ease tensions between that nation and the United States in advance of a presidential visit.

Her success in doing so facilitated a more productive presidential visit, as it was possible to make more progress in terms of international relations because of Dr. Rice's preliminary efforts. This trip was a clear statement that women have a significant role to play in world affairs, and should not be underestimated.

The level of education and professional advancement that Dr. Rice has attained is impressive for anyone, let alone a member of two groups which have been historically disadvantaged by society as a whole. Through these academic achievements alone, she demonstrates the equality, and in some cases superiority, of women. Few would dispute, however, that the apex of her pursuits thus far has been her appointment as Secretary of State, as discussed previously, which she undoubtedly earned through intelligence, hard work, and tenacity. These achievements are also proof of the larger women's movement that has led to increased recognition and freedom for all women.

The Changing Role of Women

The advancement of Dr. Rice, while admittedly a result of a great deal of hard work on her part, can also be attributed to, and indicative of, the changing role of women. This change is advancement for the better, evidenced by the success stories of many prominent women over the past several decades.

Examples of successful women abound in recent history, evidenced by the recognition of Oprah Winfrey as one of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in the entertainment/news industries, Venus Williams as one of the highest paid tennis professionals-male or female-in the world, and the countless examples of prominent women in medicine, law, business and more. An interesting aside to the consideration of Winfrey and Williams, as well as Dr. Rice, however, is the fact that they are not only women, but they are also African-American women, a key distinction that deserves closer discussion. These women have blazed a trail for the advancement of the women's movement without a doubt, but also, they have opened many doors for minorities, which is perhaps an even larger tribute to them and more evidence of their exceptional abilities and talent to overcome adversity and excel. Whether they are evaluated simply as successful women, or as successful minority women, they stand alone as a tribute to women's causes in the 21st century.

An Overview of Women's Issues in Modern Times

The feminist movement in the modern age has advanced light years beyond the struggles for the female right to vote of the early 20th century and the obstacles that women have overcome to be given equal educational opportunities and the right to pursue careers that were previously exclusive to males. From the countless names that have been lost to history right up to Dr. Rice, women have played, and continue to play vital roles in the most pressing issues of the day.