Vogue on Kirsten Gillibrand: Nothing but pure sexism

Kirsten Gillibrand is a US Senator, a talented politician and an important part of the successful campaign to repeal the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Yet, what Vogue was interested in while doing an interview with her was how much weight did she lose and whether she can now fit in all her skinny clothes (Van Meter, 2013). The interview Vogue did with Gillibrand could hardly be more sexist. It focuses on a very dangerous philosophy where women are measured and valued through their aesthetics, rather through their deeds and brains. It also shows that Gillibrand did not "earn" a couple of pages in Vogue because she is promoting LGBT rights but rather because she is a rather good-looking female for someone of her age. Furthermore, in this interview Vogue promotes the opinion that women should value themselves through their partners and husbands, as well as try to always look good for them(Vogue on Kirsten Gillibrand: Just Plain Sexist, 2010). The interviewer admired the fact that Gillibrand has managed to "remain attractive to her husband for nine years" even though her husband is two years her junior. Apparently, this act was depicted as Gillibrand's great success, greater than her political activism and liberal views. I couldn't help but wonder, when will it be enough to be only the New York Senator in order to be seen as a successful female? For Vogue, apparently never. Ms. Gillibrand did try to promote feminists values throughout the interview, but according to the interviewer, that's not what Vogue's readers are interested in; they are interested in Gillibrand's new dress and advice on how to lose weight after childbirth. Well, Mr. Interviewer, you were wrong. Information about dresses and weight loss is the only information Vogue's readers are being served and, hence, becomes the means to manipulate their minds, creating, or shall I say, maintaining great gender inequalities in our society.

Van Meter, J, 2010, 'In Hillary's Footsteps: Kirsten Gillibrand', Vogue, viewed November 21, http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/in-hillarys-footsteps-kirsten-gillibrand/#1
'Vogue on Kirsten Gillibrand: Just Plain Sexist', 2010, Name It Change It, viewed November 21, http://www.nameitchangeit.org/blog/entry/vogue-on-kirsten-gillibrand-just-plain-sexist