LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Saturday, March 8th marked International Women’s Day, and surprisingly, Governor Gretchen Whitmer dusted off her best empowerment language and is suddenly very comfortable saying the word “women” again – now that it’s convenient.
After years of creative rebranding women – calling them “menstruating people” and “people with a period” – Whitmer has miraculously remembered that women exist and even deserve a day of recognition.
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“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world,” said Governor Whitmer. “It’s also an opportunity for us to celebrate the progress we’ve made to make Michigan a state where everyone can succeed and recommit ourselves to expanding equal opportunities for all. Let’s keep closing gaps, raising wages, and helping women here in Michigan and around the world pursue their potential.”
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who has formed a candidate committee to run for governor, also chimed in, reminding everyone that “women have been at the forefront of change in Michigan.” A bold claim, considering the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration has spent years contorting language to avoid defining what a woman even is.
The flip-flop heard ‘round Michigan.
Not too long ago, Whitmer made waves for awkwardly referring to women as “menstruating people” during an interview about the Reproductive Freedom proposal, which aimed to protect abortion access. She even floated the idea of a lawsuit on behalf of all “menstruating people” in Michigan if Roe v. Wade were overturned.
This occurred before Election Day in 2022, when Whitmer faced Republican Tudor Dixon in the gubernatorial race, strategically aligning herself with progressive views to secure her voter base.
From “menstruating people” to women’s champion – Whitmer has a reason for the rebrand.
Yet, because International Women’s Day was on the calendar recently, Whitmer was all about celebrating women’s achievements – so long as they fit neatly into her political narrative.
Why the shift? As she gears up for the next presidential race (and many think that is a given), she needs to distance herself from the progressive left – the same faction that handed Donald J. Trump his presidential victory.
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But Whitmer is not just running against a Republican challenger. Before that she’ll be up against California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is also expected to run for president – and he’s already adjusting his leftist rhetoric to appear more “normal.” On his debut podcast, Newsom sat down with conservative activist Charlie Kirk and admitted that allowing transgender women (biological men) in women’s sports might not be ideal, calling it an “issue of fairness.” That’s quite a shift from his usual progressive views. However, when it comes down to it, he hasn’t signaled any plans to alter California laws that currently permit trans athletes to compete on teams aligning with their gender identity. So it looks like Newsom’s latest epiphany is mostly talk and little action.
Policies over pronouns? Not so fast.
While Whitmer applauds the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and champions their reproductive rights, those same women who might be hoping for policies that actually improve their daily lives – like lowering crime, making childcare and essentials affordable, or ensuring fairness in girls’ sports – might find that Whitmer’s definition of “empowerment” doesn’t quite extend that far.
Will the real definition of “woman” please stand up?
Whitmer’s dizzying pivot from woke jargon to traditional language is a masterclass in political opportunism. When activists knock, she rolls out rhetoric straight from a dystopian biology lesson – but when mainstream approval, and possibly a presidential run, is at stake, suddenly she’s all about celebrating plain old “women.”
