Not to channel Hillary Clinton but it does seem women often endure a double standard in the political arena. Donald Trump’s campaign theatrics make him a “leader,” “entertaining,” and “commanding.” Imagine if a woman acted so. “Bitch” would be the most frequently used term. Like it was when Christine Jones ran for Governor in 2014. Others have avoided such labels with disarming traits: Brenda Burns (principle). Janet Napolitano (smarts). Kyrsten Sinema (humor).
And that leads us to the tony town of Paradise Valley and one Maria Syms. She burst onto the scene in 2012 and a combustible race against the person who defeated her for Mayor, Scott Lemarr.
The electorate did not doubt her spirit but let’s just say the marketplace felt a little Christine Jones about her post-election.
What a difference a few years makes.
She was elected to the Paradise Valley Town Council. She was tapped by Attorney General Mark Brnovich to be a top advisor. She matriculated through the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and is a graduate of a U.S. Attorney’s Office. She’s a mom, wife, and articulate defender of community character and the resonance of resorts.
The right and recalibrated combination of sass, class and charisma has positioned Syms towards a broad political horizon. Who knows where she goes from here, but it’s pretty impressive where she’s already been, and is.