Sigourney Weaver Talks Women In Politics And 'Political Animals'

Sigourney Weaver is known for playing strong female characters. She played a high-powered investment banker in Working Girl, the First Lady in Dave and now Secretary of State in the new television series, Political Animals. (The role is loosely inspired by Hillary Clinton .) However, Weaver has a lot to say about women off-screen as well as on.

She spoke to the New York Posts Cindy Adams about her latest role and the importance of having more women in power in Washington , decrying the fact that only 15 percent of Congress is female. She also said that she believes now is the time for women to become more prominent political figures:

Its a women-in-general era. Somethings afoot in this country. Besides Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, proven is were terrific and smart. ... You can admire Angela Merkel of Germany, but maybe our nation isnt yet primed for a woman president only why not? We just arent getting sufficient support.

Weaver also spoke to Adams about the challenges facing women in politics -- and the specific qualities that female candidates could bring to Washington:

Whys ambition considered unattractive for us but not for a man? Women speak right out. From the heart, not a prompter. Were not in this for ego or power. We can work together. Ask questions nobody asks. Roll up our sleeves, dont intimidate, get things done in a different way. I know. Im a mother.
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Business as usual isnt working. A females needed to stir things up, get our country moving again. This stalemate in Washington can be broken by a woman.

This isnt the first time that Weaver has spoken out about womens issues while discussing an on-screen role. In a July 13th interview with NPR , she commented on her choice to portray independent women on-screen:

I feel that we're incredibly resourceful and strong and keep our heads. So all I'm doing is reflecting women to me as they are because the women I know are strong. My god, they hold this world together. So it's not that I'm avoiding playing damsels in distress. I don't really buy them.