The guy’s name is Marty Golden. He’s from Brooklyn, New York and is an elected state senator. He is not to be confused with a U. S. Senator, though U. S. Senators have been known to step in it from time to time as well.
It seems that State Sen. Golden sees it as part of his civic duty to help educate his constituents. In fulfilling this obligation he holds forums, seminars and educational events from time to time in his district. Sounds ok so far. But, the event he had scheduled for July 24, 2012…I only mention 2012 so you know this story is current…may have traveled a bridge too far [given his district, bridge refers specifically to the Brooklyn Bridge in this case].
Well, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, I guess. Sen. Golden wanted to help his constituents, particularly female constituents, improve their chances of landing jobs in a tight economy. His solution? An event called “Feminine Presence.” At the event women would learn about posture, deportment and the feminine presence. The good state senator’s website was more specific bragging that women would be taught to “sit, stand and walk like a model.”
Modeling classes from your local state senator. Who knew? Seems as though some women didn’t take kindly to the paternalistic nature of Sen. Golden’s proposed event and called him on it. The event has since been cancelled in the wake of the criticism.
Most days I wouldn’t write on this issue, but there is one quote connected with this story that I just had to get in. A female New York state senator from Manhattan said that she sometimes feels like she drives “three hours north and 50 years back in history” when she goes to Albany. More on this story here .
As far as I can tell, no similar events have been scheduled for male constituents.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.