By Melissa Murray

Dear Listener,

On social media platforms, Wednesdays are often denoted “Woman Crush Wednesdays,” prompting users to celebrate the exploits of especially accomplished women. In 2021, however, Woman Crush Wednesday has taken on a decidedly different flavor. Instead of posts and tweets about inspiring women, our social media timelines have, on these first Wednesdays of the new year, been flooded with images of political violence and tumult.  But even amidst the astounding photos of a fiery Capitol and red-capped rioters swathed in camouflage, women were present—and often, were center stage. Indeed, that was likely the problem. The events of January 6, and the tumultuous weeks that followed, are not simply about threats to our democracy.  In some regard, they are about the anxiety that some Americans have with the prospect of a democracy in which women are not merely members, but leaders.

The first Wednesday of 2021 witnessed the siege on the U.S. Capitol. Like so many others, my optimistic faith in a peaceful transfer of power curdled as rioters stormed the Capitol in an effort to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College results. But it was not just that rioters were intent on “stop[ping] the steal”; many were threatening harm to Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives (and third in the line of presidential succession). According to those present at the Capitol during the insurrection, Pelosi was rushed from the main chamber a few minutes before the rioters arrived. Critically, some of the rioters were actively searching for Pelosi, eventually making their way to her office, where they sat at her desk, feet propped up while taking selfies. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez underscored the danger to herself and other members of her caucus in an Instagram video post. As she explained, on January 6, she feared for her life and her safety, knowing that there were people in the building who might disclose her location, creating “opportunities to allow [her] to be hurt, kidnapped, etc.”