Some incredible women made USA Today’s list of Women of the Year including gymnast Simone Biles, Kizzmekia Corbett, one of the women who helped develop the COVID-19 vaccine, and Linda Zhang, chief engineer behind the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
One honoree stands out: Rachel Levine, the first transgender assistant secretary for health for the Department of Health and Human Services. Susan Rice is a fan.
Levine has undoubtedly accomplished much and deserves credit for that. But as someone who transitioned from male to female in 2013, Levine’s inclusion on a list of incredible women is an affront to biological females striving for recognition. Especially, that is, when one considers whether Levine would earn a spot on a similar list if Levine were a man.
Let’s be clear, Levine is deserving of dignity and respect. However, the chromosomes within a person’s body remain the same as they were from birth, even when a person has taken cross-sex hormones or has surgery. At a genetic or cellular level, a transgender person remains biologically male or female.
USA Today is suggesting that the achievements of Levine, who spent over 50 years living as a biological male, are the same as biological women and their unique attributes. It is wholly unfair to biological women, the first wave of feminists, and the next generation of females. There is a loss here: Levine’s place on this list snatches that spot from a biological woman.
USA Today isn’t the only one to compile such a list. Insider posted a list of record-breaking women that included the fact that Pose star Michaela Jae “Mj” Rodriguez was the first trans actor to win a Golden Globe. Insider also has a compilation of all the transgender politicians, including Sarah McBride, the first transgender state senator in U.S. history.
Women did not work tirelessly to achieve the right to vote … and then the right to work on equal terms … and then the right to get a credit card without a cosigner just so transgender females could best them in track, on the swim team, and in high-ranking government positions.
What’s the lesson?
Shall I tell my two daughters not even to bother trying to be the best musician, athlete, or STEM employee because a transgender man might take their place, and absorb their due recognition, after years of effort?
We must extend respect and kindness to all without hoisting transgender women to positions that render them equal to women and girls.
Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion writer and previously worked in Republican politics in Minnesota.
