It's time for change. Most states in America still have constitutions filled with male pronouns, proclaiming 'he' should do this and 'he' should do that.
But now is the time to take the hammer to the glass ceiling.
Our state constitution should reflect Gov. Jennifer Granholm as the first female governor in Michigan.
State Rep. Lisa Wojno, D-Warren, is proposing a bill to amend gender-exclusive references to Michigan's Constitution.
And it's about time. There should be provisions to our constitution because there has been a change to our state. Some people might feel the wording is unimportant, but it is important to have the rules that we follow in society, especially at the political level, reflect our society.
Presently, seven states have gender-neutral constitutions, and eight others are considering taking out the word 'he' from their own.
Eight, even 15 states, are not enough. The other 35 states should step into the 21st century and realize that a female governor is not a person of tomorrow - she is a leader of today. The rules and regulations of her duty should not exclude, but include her. The constitutions should not specify what one sex should do, rather, it should specify what certain positions should do. It's wrong to assume all statewide positions are held by men.
With women holding 80 statewide elected executive positions across the nations this year, people should not just focus on the governor's seat for the deletion of male pronouns. Other seats should be included in the decision to finally have our constitutions mirror the people who are in office.
The fact is these constitutions were written when women didn't even have the right to vote. To not amend them to reflect our modern society is ridiculous. It is almost as shameful for them to follow these regulations as it was for Florida to even consider passing a law in 2000 creating the official government position of Secretary of Barbecue.
Women's roles are no longer defined by men in society. They are political positions and with the changing ways of the world, it is time to start writing these changes - not just speaking about them.
