The four of them continued sitting in silence watching the news as the anchors started to become confident enough to voice their own predictions. “It seems that Madeline Thomas will continue to serve California,” one anchor said. “This is a landmark election for a republican senator in one of the most democratic states.”
“This only shows her potential,” another anchor commented. “If she can win California, we can be sure we’ll be seeing more of her.”
“The question is what’s next for Madeline Thomas,” said another. “If the Senate is just a stepping stone. If it is really possible for a woman to get into the White House.”
Smiles broke onto Jane and Hunter’s faces. Brandon started to look up from the pillow at the TV. But Madeline sat still. Jane flipped through the channels to see that other stations were also calling the election for Madeline. “A big win,” one called it. “A very close call,” another said.
Moments later Madeline’s cell phone rang. Jane jumped to answer and handed the phone to her boss.
“Congratulations, Senator Thomas,” the California governor said. “A very impressive win.”
It was impressive. And it was only the beginning.
Did Madeline run for president? Did she get away with everything?
Go to my website www.avivagatauthor.com to get the FREE bonus chapter.
A note from the author
One of the themes that I thought a lot about while writing this book was the double standard for women. This double standard affects women in daily life, and even more so when women cross certain lines.
This double standard followed Madeline in parenthood – that she wasn’t a good enough mother because she pursued her career; and it hurt her in that she could have been considered unfit for political office for cheating.
Unfortunately, men don’t receive this same response. Men who work hard and don’t raise their children are considered ambitious. And cheating is almost a given for male politicians in today’s world.
On a lower level, I think many women, including myself, have felt this double standard pushing down on their shoulders, especially in the last year. When things become difficult for families, women are expected to take on more. Women put their ambitions aside for their families without question, because this is what is expected from them. That is how I have felt over the last year, which is why it took me so long to finish this book.
As COVID closed schools and kept people home, I was forced to put my own ambitions aside to take care of my family. Maybe forced isn’t the right word, I did it on my own choosing. But was it really a choice?
It has been proven that in response to COVID, more women than men were forced to quit jobs or juggle careers and childcare. This has pushed so many women, including me, to the breaking point. We push ourselves too hard.
While I feel lucky to have had that time with my children, it was difficult and I often felt the unfairness of having to put my career on hold. I felt judged for wanting to pursue my career while my children suffered from the side effects of a global pandemic. Judge by whom? Mostly, by myself, which I realize is only because the double standard is so ingrained in my head. Did I judge my husband for working hard? Of course not.
This book is for all the ambitious women out there. The ones who break stereotypes and pursue their goals. The ones who maybe feel guilty for doing so, but are strong enough to not back down.
I salute you. I admire you. I am doing my best to be you.
Acknowledgments
This book may have one author, but there are many people who contributed to it. First of all, I want to thank my husband Ori who helped me come up with the idea for this story and participated in hours of brainstorming along the way. He is always supporting me and pushing me to dream bigger. I also want to thank him for being a wonderful husband and father.
I also want to thank my dad Nahum for reading the book and his unending support. Thanks also to my friends Naomi and Alisa for reading and giving feedback.
Thanks also goes to all the other hands that touched my book: Isabelle G, who did the final round of proofreading. Angela Stevens for designing the cover.
The biggest thank you goes to all my readers, especially those who leave me reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Reviews (and recommendations!) are the best way to give back to an author you like. They help other readers decide whether to read a book and encourage writers to keep going.
Learn more about me by following me on Instagram @aviva_writes
Facebook.com/avivagatauthor
or check out my website, www.avivagatauthor.com
