Why is the legislature still run by a group of men?

I sat next to my daughter on the couch. I wanted her to hear the historic words from President-elect Joe Biden in his address to the nation, especially in regard to the Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris.

“I’ll have the honor of serving with a fantastic vice president ... who makes history as the first woman, first black woman, the first woman from south Asian descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country. Don’t tell me it’s not possible in the United States. It’s long overdue.”

Our next president saw that having a woman in the White House was critical, and did something about it.

Yet, as Biden’s speech wrapped up, the gravity of what he had said not only punctuated the progress we had made as a nation. It also served as a sobering reminder of what we were missing as a state.

Just a few days earlier, it had been announced there would be no female leadership in the General Assembly in Hartford. Eight leadership positions, between both chambers, between both parties. In this session, not one will be held by a woman.

What’s even more troubling? This year isn’t an aberration.

In the House, Republican Themis Klarides joined leadership in 2007, where she stayed until she opted not to run for re-election this term. She was the first woman to ever lead their caucus.

For the Democrats, the most recent female leader from the party was current Secretary of State, Denise Merrill, who was Majority Leader from 2009-2011. The only other woman to lead the party before her was Moria Lyons, who served as both Majority Leader and Speaker of the House.

And for the Senate? The Republicans have had two women serve as President Pro Tempore for a total of three years between both of them.

And if you’re wondering who the last Democrat female leader was in the Senate, you’ll be hard pressed to find the answer to your question.

This is because the party has never had one.

That’s it. That’s all she — or rather, he - wrote. The Connecticut legislature traces its roots back to 1636. But in nearly 400 years you can count the number of women who have been a part of the General Assembly leadership on one hand.

It’s not for lack of choices. We’ve never had more women serving in Hartford than we do right now. With all the women who have been elected to office over the past decade, some of whom champion the most crucial issues for the citizens of our state, we don’t think they should have a seat at the leadership table?

Or maybe it’s more — let me guess— the timing isn’t right? Or they need to wait their turn, and interjecting gender in such a process wouldn’t be fair?

You know what’s not fair? Being disparately impacted by the economic fallout from a pandemic.

Watching men decide what you can and cannot do with your body. Heading back to work a week after the birth of your child because you don’t have paid leave.

Making only 70-80 cents to every dollar that your male counterparts earn.

These are just a few of the real issues facing real women every single day. And if we want real solutions it is absolutely essential that women are in leadership roles.

I am not interested in any of the excuses as to why women are not at the table. What I am interested in is the answer to one question: Why does the experience of men in politics outweigh the experience of women in life?

Connecticut is way behind; we have been for years. Gender matters. Race matters.

It seems as if the only reason people keep convincing themselves that they don’t is because acknowledging that truth mean giving up power.

We deserve action and results, especially from those often touting the importance of lifting up communities with less of a voice. And we deserve to have our representation reflect who we are, not only in the General Assembly membership, but in the leadership, as well.