Kim Campbell received strong responses online after advising women who report the news to cover up on air.
The former Canadian Prime Minister tweeted her dissatisfaction with sleeveless fashion choices yesterday, stating "bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas."
I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses- often when sitting with suited men. I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas! https://t.co/plBRrrtqKV
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 13, 2018
Her tweet was in reference to Nick Morgan's article, What Should a Speaker Wear. She quotes him saying: "Keep your arms covered. It shouldn't matter - but we're visual creatures - so it does."
Many were outraged, calling Campbell's comment, 'dress-shaming' toward women in TV anchor positions.
However, one particular photograph is garnering most of the online attention about the cover-up conversation.
In 1990, Vancouver Island photographer, Barbara Woodley captured Campbell holding her new justice minister robe on a hanger and baring her shoulders while wearing a sleeveless dress.
Campbell's original message led the conversation to debate whether women need to change their habits or society needs to change its perception of women.
Yes. You saw the data and said "women need to change their habits, that is the problem." Instead of seeing the data and saying "society needs to change its perception of women, that's the problem"
— Micah Fysh (@MicahFysh) February 14, 2018
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel chimed in, "I firmly believe in the right of Canadians to bare arms."
"We use our arms to climb, to reach, to work and to raise our children. We have nothing to hide, they are a point of pride," said one commenter.
A narrow view of suitable work attire undermines credibility and gravitas. Please stop dress-shaming our female anchors. We use our arms to climb, to reach, to work, and to raise our children. We have nothing to hide, they are a point of pride.
— Lucy (@lucylikeswater) February 13, 2018
After yesterday's hostile response, Campbell attempted to clear the air by referencing a Harvard-based study about skin exposure and perception.
To all who R outraged by my RTs of research re skin exposure and perception, I suggest U contact the scholars at Yale, Harvard and U of Maryland & urge them 2 withdraw their (2012) paper bcs YOU don't agree, & NEVER show it to ANYONE who might find it useful! me-I'm in Paris ❤️
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 14, 2018
Campbell was the 19th prime minister of Canada and served for a total of five months in 1993 after Brian Mulroney announced his retirement. She was the first and remains the only female Canadian prime minister.
She was also the first female president both in high school and at the University of British Columbia in the 1960s.
In a 2008 interview at the University of Alberta, Campbell explains the origin of the famous photo.
She currently serves as the chairperson of Canada's Supreme Court Advisory Board.
In spite of her many accomplishments, Woodley's photo became the topic of discussion and has resurfaced again this week.
