Milton Valencia’s reporting on the endorsements that Josh Zakim has garnered invites us to confront the sexism and misogyny that affect women who dare to challenge entrenched power (“Zakim gets endorsements while Pressley waits,’’ Metro, June 22).

According to wholeads.us, white men make up just 36 percent of the Massachusetts population, yet they hold 68 percent of all state legislative seats. In order to have a reflective democracy, women must challenge incumbents.

When men challenge men, it’s called democracy. Yet when a woman challenges an incumbent, she is told to wait her turn or is shunned by the political establishment for trying.

People often think of Massachusetts as a progressive beacon where we push the edge on what’s possible. The truth is, we’re often stuck in the old way of doing things, and we sometimes punish the women who dare to break the mold.

Men don’t always wait their turn, so why should women? Women are coming off the sidelines, and it’s going to be uncomfortable, ruffle some feathers, and sometimes come with fewer endorsements. So be it.

We know women are more collaborative, work across party lines, and get more done. So what are we waiting for?

Alexandra Russell

Northampton