Texas Tribune Panelists Speak on Texas, Trump and Women

By DaLyah Jones
News Reporter

The second presidential debate was held on Sunday, and no one is sure who the clear “winner” is. The debate involved both presidential candidates, Senator Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, contending their positions at a town hall forum hosted at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Both candidates not only attacked each other’s positions, but also each other’s personal lives.

One of the most awaited moments was when Trump was asked about the recent video released of him making crude comments towards women in 2005. Hillary responded by stating that’s “exactly who [Trump] is.” Trump responded by saying “It’s just words folks.”

But for Texas women, are these really just words?

In a state where Trump has the majority of Texas’s support, one important question comes up – Is Texas Good for Women?

The Texas Tribune hosted their 26th annual Texas Tribune Fest on September 24th, where former Texas state Senator Wendy Davis and former Texas Comptroller Susan Combs answered that very question during their “Is Texas Good for Women?” panel. Davis said yes, but not for the right reason.

“In Texas when you’re a woman, you have to grow up pretty tough,” said Davis. “It shapes you in a very powerful way.”

Combs agreed, but from a different angle.

“Being in Texas you can see a long way, which helps see your vision,” said Combs. “But the disparaging of women is something that I seriously worry about.” Davis also mentioned that Texas is one of the many states that hasn’t passed a strict equal pay law for women.

“We know that women are two-thirds of the minimum pay wage in this country and unless we lift that minimum wage mark, then women aren’t going to realize their full potential,” Davis said.

Women represent about 50% of the Texas population, some may worry that comments like Trump’s helps to create even more obstacles for Texas women. Only 20% of the Texas legislature is represented by women, and Davis said that there has been issues with this uneven representation.

“It’s no wonder that when you look at where we rank in women’s health, women’s pay, women’s occupation in the fortune 500 companies here of course you can’t question the climate when you don’t have women representing the perspective of women on the senate floor,” said Davis.

The panel also consisted of both Davis and Combs touching on the topic on women’s health care, affordable child care, campus carry and the presidential debate.

“We know what Donald Trump’s attitude is against women with the misogyny that he has continued to display fully and unabashedly through his entire campaign,” Davis said. “This is not a man I want my granddaughter growing up and listening to.”

This is not the first time Trump has made inappropriate comments towards women. Trump has a long track record of insulting women with about 20 lawsuits filed against his companies who are accused of mistreating women.