I want to be CJ when I grow up
CJ Cregg from the West Wing, that is.
It sounds slightly odd to have a fictional character as a role model, but if you’re a geek with an interest in politics who trends towards the liberal side of the political spectrum and feels strongly about ethics, there aren’t a huge number of good role models out there. Hence my regular declaration that I want to be CJ when I grow up.
CJ believes in things and actually tries to do something about them. The fact that she leans towards the liberal side of the spectrum certainly helps for me, but how many people out there actually put the effort into doing the things that they believe in? She does this even when it’s not going to be great for her career, asking the questions that she shouldn’t ask. Of course she has to spin what she learns for the press and there have even been episodes when she’s had to be a little vague with the truth, but CJ herself needs to know.
She chose to work for someone because she believed in his ideals.
CJ looks fantastic, but isn’t always graceful. She’s occasionally a dorky geek, she gets things wrong, she deals with it and moves on. I admire her for her imperfections as well as her cool moments.
CJ seems to know everything. It’s an illusion, I know, but if I could only know that much about my chosen fields…
I could list a dozen other reasons why CJ is a great role model, but I suspect that I’ll fall over the edge of calm analysis and into the realm of scary stalker woman.
I keep trying to think of real life women that I can honestly call role models and come up blank. Anita Roddick sold the Body Shop to L’Oreal, of all companies. Most female celebs have had more than a few moments when I cringe and wonder how they can be so stupid. Susan Sarandon is probably the best pick out of the celebrity females - she isn’t afraid to talk about what she believes in and go on protests even though she’s probably lost roles due to it.
Web development is largely male dominated. The few high-profile female web geeks out there haven’t had a big enough influence yet for me to really feel passionately about them as role models.
So I’m left wanting to be CJ Cregg when I grow up. I have a feeling that the growing up part of my life might never end.