One thing jumps out of the list of new appointees Mayor-Elect Mike McGinn has announced so far: Only one of the seven new appointments announced today—executive assistant Allison Burson—is a woman. That brings the total number of new female McGinn appointees to two (for a total of four women on his staff, including two who are already members of Mayor Nickels’ team), compared to eight male staffers.
Moreover, those eight men are all in top-level positions (State Legislative Director, Director of External Affairs, Director of Communications, Office of Intergovernmental Relations Director… ); the women, in contrast, include two city liaisons (the two Nickels reappointments) and McGinn’s executive assistant. Chief of staff Julie McCoy, in other words, is the only woman in a high-level position in the McGinn administration.
After the November election, McGinn’s “ambassadors” chose diversity as one of the top things they were looking for in his administration. And, at least on racial diversity, he’s delivered: Both his deputy mayors, for example, are people of color. Asked why McGinn has appointed so few women to his inner circle so far, McGinn spokesman Aaron Pickus responded: “The transition is still on-going and more announcements are forthcoming. To make a judgment about the demographic makeup of the McGinn administration would be premature before our staffing decisions have been completed.” Pickus also pointed out that McGinn has appointed a woman, Beth Goldberg, as head of his budget office. (The fate of at least two more prominent female Nickels appointees, transportation director Grace Crunican and housing director Adrienne Quinn, remains uncertain.)
Nickels has 15 staffers in all; two-thirds of those are women. It’s still unclear how many staffers McGinn plans to add to the 12 he has announced so far.
Tweet
Two thirds of Nickels staffers were women. Two thirds of McGinn’s staffers are men. Who cares? Why don’t you try to figure out if they are competent.
Jeff #1:
Many, many reasons. Pragmatically, different government officials tend to respond to people in their social groups or social situations the most. People appointed to top positions tend to stay in top positions and rise higher; Seattle has a 67% male city council and has had male mayors for 98% of the past 100 years. McGinn’s high-level staffers are 89% men (not including himself). You can’t solve this inequity by appointing almost all men.
A large majority of local government employees are women, since the city follows a strict class system for pay rates to avoid pay discrimination, so women get paid about 40% more than they would most places in the private sector (while men get paid the same). Greg Nickels also valued diversity and at least half of his department heads and top-level staffers were women. McGinn’s choices so far are definitely not a matter of experience, or else his appointments would be mostly women.
This is especially disconcerting because many of us voted for McGinn for social justice reasons. McGinn’s transition plan was to “listen” to people, and the #1 word in his responses was “diversity.” He hasn’t even taken office yet, and he’s already starting to disappoint…
I find this to be quite disheartening. Sounds like it will be quite the boys’ club on the 7th floor. I really think you get better results when you have a diverse group of people with a wide range of perspectives. Sounds like McGinn is picking a pretty homogenous group of people to be his advisers. There are so many competent, highly experienced women out there – and while Julie McCoy seems great, it’s disappointing that she’s the only woman McGinn has included in a high ranking position in his office.
I didn’t vote for McGinn for social justice reasons; he really didn’t talk about it. I voted for him because I didn’t think Mallahan was competent. However, considering some of the people he chose as advisors (the ambassadors–a rather awkward term), I doubt if he’s blind to social justice issues. Certainly not with Sharon Lee around.
I would resent it if someone chose a certain percentage of women to help run a big city, or several token women, just as I would if they did the same with another identifiable demographic. Addressing gender inequities are not part of a mayor’s job description, nor should it be part of women’s job description to be someone who is pointed to as helping to even the gender score. As far as wide range of perspectives, what do you mean? That could mean a bunch of conservative Republicans, couldn’t it? Why is diversity of perspective a value in itself rather than simply a quantitative descriptor?
Not only are they men, they are men with Macs (consider that only 7% of people use Macs). The McGinn clansmen are from a very narrow ideological spectrum.
You gotta problem with men?
@2 If you have some reason to believe that this group won’t be responsive to women (or any other group) I would like to hear it. But I bet that the only thing you know about this group is the number of people with XX chromosomes.
And your statement about pay discrimination is ridiculous. While it is true that the average woman makes only about 70% of what the average man makes the discrepancy is almost all due to education levels, time in work force and choice of field. When you take these factors into account (and they all exist for city employees) the pay gap almost entirely disappears in the private sector.
I was going to comment on this then I remember- it doesn’t really matter.
Why does it matter? Who cares? If this is your big consern about mcginn you have to much free time.
So many men, so little time.
Great Gaia, Mother Earth, look down upon your womynpeople and deliver us from this terrible mayor! Bring us a mare, instead. A mare who will guard our breasthood and swimsuit areas.
We, womynpeople, demand a Mare McGinn!
Thank you for your inclusive inclusion of my cry of inner soul-pain.
Cara
@11 thank you, that made my morning.
It’s a little disheartening to be a feminist attempting to be logical among a bunch a near-mysoginists (except for Jane). But still, I’ll stick with my opinion.
@12: I’m here to serve.
I expect my government to provide me with services, not to be a tool of “social change.” Please, just fix my streets, provide me with fire/police protection, have some adequate utilties, throw in some parks and libraries and I’m all warm and happy. stay out of everything else. Please.
Of course a straight cisgendered person would make a post like this.
Marge is right, there are so many of us, and there is so little time. What is McGinn doing about that!
Did McGinn read the Dem platform from last year?
Dd he pick the best person for the job?
@13 – Go sarah68. Even when we don’t agree I enjoy your posts.
Having women in key and powerful roles does matter. It’s about having a diverse set of views that make better choices for the city in the end.
A thirtysomething single dude is just not going to have the same kind of life/work experiences…
You boys seem to have a hard time understanding that.
@13; After reading many of the comments that you’ve littered throughout numerous posts, I imagine that yes, it must be incredibly difficult being you.
@7: ” [the gender wage discrepancy] is almost all due to education levels, time in work force and choice of field.]
Dream on. Women are paid less in large part because they don’t negotiate their salaries. Male traffic controllers make more than female traffic controllers, teachers, police officers, data processors, vice presidents, program managers, it goes on. When most women enter the workforce, it never occurs to them to negotiate their first salary. Men do. And that’s when it all begins. It’s estimated that “failing to negotiate for a first salary can lead to an overall loss of over $560,000 by age 60.” Classic discrimination – such as “mommy tracking” and sexual harassment – “costs women between $700,000 and $2 million over the course of a career.” (Citing: http://tinyurl.com/ylg6m6a )
Additionally some fields, despite similarities to male-dominated positions, pay and promote less simply because they are female-dominated.
Men do not rise because they are more qualified than women or because they have less demands on their time or because they are more educated. They rise because they have help. Women help them rise. Men help them rise. In fact, there are whole job categories designed to help men rise. There are even sports designed to help men rise. None of this has anything to do with some sort of inherent “qualifications”. The help is there if women ask for it, but as been demonstrated, they rarely do and that’s everyone’s fault (and a much longer post.)
Going back to the original post: Of course, McGinn’s appointees will do their best to make Seattle the best place it can be. Of course. But when we say it doesn’t matter that women aren’t as included in leadership doesn’t play out in history, past or present. (Otherwise, an organization like this wouldn’t need to exist: http://www.halftheskymovement.org)
As was discussed ad nauseum during the Sotomayor confirmation process, men are not some neutral standard of leadership. They have wonderful leadership qualities, but they also have their own culture, bias, and priorities. For example, one of the reasons that transportation will always be higher on the list of city priorities than education is because men are more interested and knowledgeable in that area than education. And that preference translates into billions.
Both men and women are loathe to admit that gender discrimination, however done unintentionally, exists or matters. And that’s a large reason why it persists.
McGinn’s team as a whole is very weak. It seems he doesn’t want anyonein the room who can challenge him. No Team of Rivals – lots of yes MEN
Nickel’s staff was far and away the most diverse and competent of Mayor’s staffs in a long time – probably the most diverse of any of Seattle’s past Mayors (something he gets very little credit for). This brings voices of folks into City hall and represents the bofy of people of the city. McGinn taking a slice of his neighborhood and friends does not bode well for him, the city is at least half women jobs and him not taking the time to hire some is sad. It’s not just about hiring a ‘token’ rep for a group its about actually finding value in having a diverse team..something that he already doesn’t seem to be doing.
This leadership issue extends to well, other leadership:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/us/politics/25vibe.html
@9 – you seem to have a very narrow view of the world, and judging from these comments many poeple care.
How many female department heads are there?
It occurs to me now that the system was created by men with the explicit exclusion of women those many years ago. Change the system ladies. We need it.
Throwing tantrums over the fact that not enough women are being appointed is like demanding a menorah be set up next to the christmas tree. Really tiresome and sets course for a slippery slope.
I’m a man who is truly tired of men running things but arbitrary appointments to appease the “celebrate diversity” crowd only cheapens the plight of those who really seek equality.
What percentage of office seekers last november were women, what percentage men? I’m curious.
25% of the mayoral candidates during the primary were women. How peculiar that number was so low given that they make up over 50% of the election.
…of the populace.
@ 25. Brian K says:
Stella Chao – DON
Grace Cruncian – SDOT
Brenda Bauer – Fleets, but she is gone.
Diane Sugimura – DPD
Pretty high profile positions.
@25
Right – all Nickels appointments. Plus these:
Adrienne Quinn – Housing
Julie Nelson – Civil Rights
Emelie East – Intergovernmental Relations (leaving)
Mary Jean Ryan – Policy and Mangement (leaving)
Thanks @29. Are Stella and Diane staying? And Grace still fighting for it?
I thought I read that Stella and Diane are staying, Brenda was asked to leave in six months, but unclear what’s going on with Grace, Adrienne and Julie.
@29, You forgot:
Adrienne Quinn – Housing
Susan Cohen – Auditor
Catherine Moore – City Clerk
Julie Nelson – Civil Rights
Darby DuComb – CSB
Sue Tanner – Hearings Examiner
Mary Jean Ryan – OPM (which the Council axed)
Cecelia Carter – Retirement
Susan Hildreth – Librarian
Mary Effertz – PSCSC
Granted, not all are appointed by the Mayor. However, to make the claim that women are underrepresented in the highest reaches of our city government is willfully ignorant.
Stella and Diane are staying.
No one is asking for “arbitrary appointments to appease the “celebrate diversity” crowd”. What is being asked is why McGinn is appointing mostly men when there are so many qualified women around. Doesn’t he (or his advisors) know of any women worthy of leadership? Sounds like he’s more familiar and comfortable with men, which according to the ERA, is a form of discrimination. Which doesn’t sound like the progressive leader Mike hopes to be and flies in the face of his efforts toward inclusion.
Keeping the current appointed women is (save Ms. Bauer) is cool, but the interesting part is why so many qualified women are not getting tapped for these appointments.
@20 The difference between men and women’s salaries (after accounting for education and time in the labor force) has been steadily decreasing from 22% at the start of the 80s to 12% by the end of the 80s to 6% in the late 90s(see here and here). If it is still at 6% then that is still 6% too much, but misha said the difference is 40%. Anyone with any sense knows that isn’t right and it does no service to anyone who is concerned with women being treated equally in the workplace.
@31 – more than half of these gals are leaving/have left.
The mayor’s office is the executive office and has the power – why is the power being left in the hands of men, and in many cases rather young and inexperienced men?
It’s clear (so far) McGinn will not be hiring women in the power positions. That says something about how he assembles a team to lead.
Ahhh this post has so many problems with gender theory I don’t know what to do. In a city like Seattle, I don’t think you can just assume that someone with a Y chromosome is straight, unaware of his power, and unaware of women’s issues. Unless you’re Erica Barnett, then you can assume whatever you want!
@36 Actually, I think Julie McCoy (yeah, a woman!) is assembling the team to lead. That’s the chief of staff’s job, isn’t it?
@20: The reason that male teachers tend to on average make more than female teachers is that the female teachers are often put into a position where they have to take time off to deal with pregnancy and raising kids and men tend to go after their MAs faster. That’s my thinking, anyhow.
Stephanie and Jane, you convinced me. *Lines up behind them on the woman-appointment issue*
Seven @26: Your analogy lacks logic. Why the hell shouldn’t a menorah be set up beside a Christmas tree in a public setting? “Because we can’t do that for every religion” is a good reason for getting the tree out of there, not for refusing the menorah. If you want to accuse women of throwing a tantrum, find a better analogy, if you can.
When was it decided that commenters could personally attack editors/article writers? Give Josh and Erica a break. You’re getting this stuff free and obviously getting something out of it or you wouldn’t bother to comment.
@38: Indeed. However, women play an equal role in keeping women down. It’s not a men’s problem or a women’s problem.
Plus, in the end, it’s not her decision, it’s the Mayor-Elect’s.
Sound like Mr. “not the establishment” is still living in 1962 re: his new hires.
We also need to focus on the big issues and projects that lie ahead and determine what skill sets will be needed to provide objectively-based analyses. Our demanding and discerning public expects no less. This doesn’t imply excluding diversity. Let’s also be sure to include highly qualified women of color when we speak of “women”. I believe McGinn will get there. Let’s give him time.
the point is that McGinn has only one high ranking woman (Julie McCoy) working for him on the 7th floor. Every single one of all of his 7th floor staffers are men. McGinn including Linda Cannon and Shauna Larsen in his list of staffers is disingenous and I think he did it to mask the fact that (except for Julie McCoy) it’s going to be an all boys club on the 7th floor. Both Shauna Larsen and Linda Cannon are great – but Shaunua lives in DC (which is fitting since she’s the federal liaison) – but she’s clearly not going to be part of the 7th floor decision making. Nor is Linda Cannon. Also, in terms of “diversity” it would be great if McGinn would look outside the small pool of former Seattle and King County staffers and look at some of the staff working for other cities (Bellevue, Renton, etc.). Dow Constantine made a great selection in picking Rhonda Berry from the City of Tukwila to be one of his staffers. McGinn should look at some of the talent working in the other cities in King County – there are some amazing people out there and it would help broaden Seattle’s perspective. It would also greatly help in our lobbying efforts down in Olympia.
Isn’t Julie McCoy the wife of Bill Broadhead, McGinn’s campaign consultant? With so many qualified women around, the hiring of Broadhead’s wife seems a little, well, old-school. Is that payback for the extraordinarily discounted services Broadhead provided? Broadhead, also consultant for T. Boone Pickens’ “we-can’t-drill-our-way-out-of-this-problem” wind farm project and AT&T, is an old friend of McGinn and probably expected some sort of perk for leading McGinn to victory.
@ 45 – Julie McCoy is the best hire of all that McGinn has made. He is extremely fortunate that Julie even considered the offer.
Did you know that one out of one Erica C. Barnett’s is a woman? As a man, I demand she be split in two and that the position of one half of Erica C. Barnett be given to a deserving male. In fact, considering how many years we have suffered under strictly female Erica C. Barnett-hood, the only truly just way to deal with the problem would be to give both halves to men, until such a time that the future gender-neutral utopia is finally realized, when all Erica C. Barnetts will be fully equal. Until that day, let us not rest. No justice, no peace!
Women are pissed they aren’t getting appointed but won’t bother running for office.
@24
Well I do have a narrow view of right and wrong. I guess because I do not live in Seattle (Thank the one true God and his Son Jesus Christ for that.) I just do see what gender has to with it. Are they qualified? Are they capible? I don’t know. I would not care if all his appointies were woman.
I have no problem with a male majority administration, but I do hope they come out with a sexy calendar – The Men of McGinn.
Why is it when folks talk about wanting diversity the instant reaction is that thoes folks must be ‘tokens’? It’s as if, when people think about a woman in a leadership role or a person of color in a leadership role then that person couldn’t possibly be qualified, but when a man is appointed it is assumed that he must be qualified for the job? I’d like to see some diverstiy on McGinn’s team and I would also assume that they would be qualified – why wouldn’t they be?!