Rodin joins top-20 'PARADE' of women pres. candidates

Can Judith Rodin go from University president to United States president? While the possibility that Penn's top official would move her offices from College Hall to the White House does not seem likely to many, a non-partisan political awareness group has named Rodin one of the top 20 women leaders in a mock election to be held this fall. Beginning with an article in Sunday's PARADE magazine, The White House Project -- whose goal is to raise awareness of female political candidates and elect a female president by 2008 -- is promoting the "Ballot Box Initiative." Through the initiative, the American people can vote for the female leaders they think could best hold the highest office in the land. "In politics, women are an untapped resource," White House Project President Marie Wilson said. "With this ballot, we are giving Americans the opportunity to learn about -- and vote for -- accomplished women from a variety of fields who could one day be president.? All of them have the potential to lead at the highest levels." Joining Rodin on the ballot is a diverse group of women leaders, including first lady Hillary Clinton, American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Carol Browner. Several other academics also joined Rodin on the list. The women were chosen for their leadership qualities, not their political beliefs. They are not affiliated with the project, nor did they authorize the use of their names. "I was pleased, of course, to be considered in the company of these extraordinary women, but more pleased, really, that educators were among them," Rodin said. "There will come a time in the very near future when leadership qualities alone, not gender, will matter to the electorate, and I look forward to that time." But Rodin denied that she has any higher political aspirations. "My responsibilities as a president of one of America's truly great teaching and research institutions occupy my time and my thoughts," she said. In 1996, George Stephanopolous -- then-advisor to President Clinton -- told The Daily Pennsylvanian that Clinton holds Rodin "in high regard" but refused to confirm or deny rumors that she was being considered for a government position. People can vote for any of the women in The Ballot Box Initiative through the mail, via a 900 telephone number or over the Internet at http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org. Additional ballots will be printed in other national magazines over the next month.