What role does the “F” word play in politics?

With apologies to those who were hoping to read something a bit raunchier, the “F” stands for feminism, and on Tuesday a group of women, all experts in their fields, gathered to discuss what feminism and politics have to do with each other these days.

The consensus was: plenty.

Women belong in politics at all levels not simply for their talent or energy or interests but because they are women, according to experts on the panel, which was sponsored by the Washington-based Women’s Campaign Forum.

“Women do bring different life experiences to the table,” said Ann Lewis, a senior adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Lewis took special note of “women who have been in the workplace who have seen how you can be treated differently.”

Randi Weingarten, who heads the United Federation of Teachers in New York, a 140,000-member union, was more vehement.

“If you do not have women in elective or political office, the issues that women and familes struggle with never, never, never, never, never get a hearing,” said Weingarten, also a longtime Clinton supporter.

All this comes in a time when many women, especially younger women, do not call themselves “feminists.” The phrase “I’m not a feminist but” is common among women who adopt feminist ideals but reject the label, they said.

“The word has become so pejorative,” said Weingarten.

On the bright side, Lewis noted, the label may be under attack but many of the issues are on the table. “The title has become more controversial, but the agenda has become more mainstream,” she said. 

– Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst