Over the past week, two powerful Vermont women have been in the news, but for vastly different reasons. Both have much to teach all of us, regardless of gender.
As many Vermonters are aware, Waitsfield’s own Shaina Taub snagged two Tony awards last Sunday night, for best book and original score, respectively, for her musical, “Suffs,” a dramatization of the 1913 women’s movement that led to their right to vote. Taub not only wrote the script, music and lyrics for “Suffs” but also performs in the delightful and moving show. The day I saw it, the audience alternately cheered, laughed, or shed tears.
By all accounts, Taub, who is also a Shakesperean dramatist, has had a determination to use her talents to improve the world ever since she was a little girl. In her second acceptance speech at the Tonys, Taub declared, “To all of the theater kids out there watching, especially the loud little girls, go for it.” Considering the current state of women’s rights, the serious messages of “Suffs” are as relevant today as they were during the suffragists’ crusade.
Taub’s triumphs contrast harshly with the disheartening behavior of Rep. Mary Morrissey, (R-Bennington). In a breathtaking display of outright spite, which Rep. Angela Arsenault (D-Chittenden) called “juvenile and unconscionable…straight up cruel,” Rep. Morrissey became the unwitting star of a video showing her pouring liquids into the tote bag of Rep. Jim Carroll (D-Bennington), over several months. The confusion and anxiety Carroll said he endured led him to install a camera in the public space outside Capitol chambers, to see who or what was behind the dousing.
Rather than attempt to address Morrissey’s political views in any depth, it’s reasonable to point out that her advocacy for certain policies opposes those advocated by Carroll. Regardless, Morrissey’s repeated bullying of a colleague who, by all accounts including Morrissey’s own, had done nothing to deserve such wrath, is confounding.
Faced with a video showing her defiling Carroll’s belongings, Morrissey had no choice but to admit, and apologize for, her actions. But, her apology, widely covered by Vermont media, smacked of fake humility, as she claimed to “not know why” she persisted in tormenting Carroll.
Could it be Morrissey is modeling the behavior of her Republican grandstanders on the national stage? Perhaps Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia)? Or South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem, who boasted of killing her family’s dog? Or, Arizona Republican senatorial candidate Kari Lake, who continually chants the racist, sexist and homophobic invective of a 34-count felon? Or, perhaps New York State’s VP-auditioning Rep. Elise Stefanik, who gloats – erroneously – that she singlehandedly took down the female leaders of some of the most esteemed universities in the world?
To be clear, what has been termed toxic workplace behavior, by women and men alike, persists virtually unchecked in all industries. No one, including myself, can claim with any credibility that they have never been mean to a colleague or rude to a customer service professional. Often there are negative consequences for the rude individual, including missing a promotion, termination of employment, or being banned from a public establishment. The lessons those setbacks teach, and the improved behavior that often results, far outshine what even the most skilled leadership professors could impart.
As a businesswoman in my seventies, I am both disappointed and sad about Rep. Morrissey, a seasoned politician. After all, there are countless accomplished older women in politics, the arts, business, and other fields who Morrissey could have emulated, instead of mirroring haranguing harpies like Greene, et al.
Most of all, I’m disappointed that Morrissey’s actions will further fuel stereotypes that women over a certain age are too old, too loud, too brazen, and altogether too much, to be in leadership positions. This not only diminishes Morrissey’s own achievements but also unfairly tarnishes the image of other accomplished women.
Finally, I’m sad because Rep. Morrissey seems to have given no thought at all to her legacy, particularly how media organizations will likely reference this unfortunate incident in any future tributes to her.
Here’s hoping someone treats Morrissey to a showing of “Suffs,” even if she’s already seen it. Perhaps, she would reflect on what the spectacularly multi-talented Shaina Taub – Vermont native, political scholar, Tony award-winning thespian, and wonderfully loud humanitarian 32 years Morrissey’s junior, could teach her.
Regardless of one’s age or perceived ability or presumed status, there should be no barrier to learning and growth, especially for those who, like Rep. Mary Morrissey, have failed in public. Perhaps those are the very people with the most powerful lessons ahead of them, for themselves as well as for others.
