in line!

5 or so years ago I started work on a piece I called “women in line” about gender representation in the national security sector. The title was inspired by the awkward joke all of the women using the restroom at the U.S. Strategic Command annual symposium would make about how “at least there is never a line for the ladies room.” It would eventually go on to become an blog article and a book chapter. Since then, I have moderated a panel at this event and continue to attend conferences on these topics. I’m happy to report that today I did, in fact, stand in line at the restroom! There is work to be done, and not just in gender representation, but I actually turned to the woman next to me and commented on the line and … she too was delighted to be waiting.