Dr. Sheryl Cunningham recently had her work published in a chapter of “Media Depictions of Brides, Wives, and Mothers.” Her chapter, entitled ‘“Taking Care of the Children and the Country”: Nancy Pelosi and the Trope of Motherhood in Partisan and Mainstream Media’ focuses on how mainstream media are likely to connect Nancy Pelosi’s role as a woman leader to that of a mother.

Cunningham has always been interested in representations of gender in political communication, as it was the topic of her dissertation. She began her work on this chapter last year when she noticed a call for academic literature through the National Communication Association. She submitted an abstract, it was accepted, and she started writing.

“I think women are often at a disadvantage in the realm of politics, given the history of women’s rights in the United States and their acceptance as leaders in the public sphere,” said Cunningham. “I am interested in doing research that expands our understanding of women, men, and leadership in politics.”

Cunningham is currently working on another article that focuses on constructions of masculinity in political discourse. It is under review at the journal, “Men and Masculinities.”

For access to the full chapter written by Dr. Cunningham, click here:

http://alenaruggerio.com/2012/10/20/chapter-12-taking-care-of-the-children-and-the-country-nancy-pelosi-and-the-trope-of-motherhood-in-partisan-and-mainstream-media/

By Shelly Gregory, 2013