Clinton had a stunning professional resume before Bill even ran for President. Even as First Lady of Arkansas, she had political accomplishments of her own. Yes, the opportunities were there because she was married to the Governor, but what she accomplished with those chances are political wins of which any politician could be proud, regardless who they’re married to.

Her fame as First Lady may have helped her win her Senate seat in NY, but it was her hard work as a Senator that won her the regard of her constituents. She had far more legislative accomplishments than her opponent in the primaries.

Since almost no society even begins to achieve gender parity in power positions without women inheriting power from either husbands or family members, the constant harping on how Clinton (or Tsongas, or whomever) first came into a power position is itself sexist. Esp. since the great majority of men who have come into power have also had some advantage which made it easier. The rags-to-riches narratives for men may be highly lauded in our culture, but they are relatively rare in real life. We don’t, for instance hear about how John, Robert, or Teddy Kennedy’s very rich and powerful father threw the doors wide open for the political positions every time one of them is mentioned.

Of course, it IS considerable progress for women that Martha is a powerful female politician entirely in her own right. It’s real progress and we should all be happy because of it.