Safia Ama Jan

Who would I choose as my Woman of the Year?

Immediately I began trying to NOT think of Hillary. Not that I don't respect her strong will and attack on Rumsfeld on the Hill a few weeks back, but I saw her speak on CSPAN for Ann Richards' memorial service and I wasn' t the thrightest bit impressed. (I enjoy inventing superlatives). She seems bent on situationally creating herself. Richards was the real deal. To have HRC transform her midwestern accent to a southern twang to suit her purposes in the public light really made me question her sincerity. HRC is a smart, determined woman. She's just not my WOTY.

The first real candidate who then crossed my mind was Melanie Sloan, Executive Director of Citizens For Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Al Franken features her daily on his Air America talk show. Prior to starting CREW, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia, where, from 1998-2003, she successfully tried cases before dozens of judges and juries. Before becoming a prosecutor, Sloan served as Minority Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, working for Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) and specializing in crime issues. Basically, she demands accountability, up to the prosecution of, those bi-partisan crooks and liars in Washington...which makes her job an indefinite, permanent position for as long as we exist & operate under a "free" democracy.

Then there's Cindy Sheehan, another wonderful choice. Sheehan has done so much to put a face on this war. She was chosen by tragedy, not because she wanted to be in this position. She is a powerful diplomat and is an inspiration. I grieve for her loss and all the mothers', sisters', fathers'...families' losses. Our young men and women deserve to come home. They are in harm's way, and our presence is creating and continuing to fuel radicalist, violent acts. They are in the crossfire of a completely unneccessary "war". A war fabricated for war profits and declared upon an abstraction.

However, after seeing this story, Safia Ama Jan has my respect and heart. This is why she is my Woman Of The Year.