To the editor:

In the last paper of the year (Dec. 31), all three front-page stories were about extraordinary women: Saunny Scott, advocate for the homeless and those with disabilities who now fears losing her home as a result of a cut of her daughter’s disability payments; Lindsey Douglas, newly hired to help champion Kansas University during the crisis caused by state cuts to higher education; and Sandy Praeger, struggling to find insurance for uninsured Kansans because Gov. Brownback turned down federal funds to expand Medicaid for those ineligible for ACA plans.

As I read these articles, I wondered about priorities … and gender. Why is it that many men in public life are willing to jeopardize the well-being of human lives for their political “principles” and many women in public life are focused on improving human well-being regardless of politics. Could it be fighting instinct vs. nurturing instinct? I hope we’ve evolved beyond that!

We are fortunate to have a caring woman in this state working hard to bring health care options to the working poor, even though both hands have been tied behind her back. In fact all three featured women, and a legion of others, are working hard to undo the damage caused by a governor and a legislature trying to make a “statement” rather than serve their state.