Why Every Feminist Should Know Maria Bartiromo

While we all want to hear more women ask questions of the candidates for president, Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo isn't the first woman to host a presidential debate for next year's election. After all, Megyn Kelly moderated the Fox News debate for GOP candidates back in August; Dana Bash had her hand at co-moderating both a Democratic and GOP debate; and Becky Quick was there for the mess that was the CNBC Republican debate. Snagging a moderator gig isn't the only achievement that makes Bartiromo worthy of the female pioneer label, however; there are plenty of other reasons every feminist should know Maria Bartiromo.

When it comes to resumes, Bartiromo has more in common with Megyn Kelly than just debate moderator. They're also experts in holding their own within the male-dominated fields of political and financial reporting. Megyn Kelly showed American audiences just how much of a boss she is by handling GOP candidate Donald Trump's line-crossing comments with an unbelievable amount of grace. And while I hope Bartiromo won't have to prove her own level of cool at the November 10 primetime debate in Milwaukee, I know she could. Here are seven reasons the Fox Global Markets editor is up to the grueling challenge that is spending several hours in a room with Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

1. She Was The Original Money Honey

Bartiromo got the nickname "Money Honey" back in the 1990s for being pretty much a bombshell and the first to report directly from the floor of the stock exchange. How did the journalist respond to the name? She created a "Money Honey" line of toys and other products to teach kids about money. Only Bartiromo could have turned a semi-sexist nickname into an educational brand name. She told Gotham that the moniker never really bothered her and she didn't understand why it bothered others.

2. She Made A Name For Herself In An Almost Exclusively-Male Industry

We all know finance doesn't have a history of being the most female-friendly field, and about two-thirds of journalism gigs go to men, according to the American Society of News Editors. But Bartiromo didn't seem to care about all that, since she put herself front and center, reporting right from where the action happens at the NYSE. After that, there was pretty much no stopping her: five years with CNN Business News, two decades with CNBC, and she's nearing her two-year anniversary with Fox Business Network.

3. She Followed A Path That Actually Seems Doable For Most Women

This isn't to lessen Bartiromo's efforts in getting to where she is today. The TV journalist likely worked her tuchus off at CNN, CNBC, and Fox Business, but her career path is inspiring to fellow females particularly because it seems like the rest of us could realistically follow in her footsteps. Growing up in a Brooklyn neighborhood under the guidance of two hard-working parents? Relatable. Getting a Bachelor's degree from a liberal arts university? Doable. Waking up at 3 a.m. every day for work? Questionable, but OK.

4. She Really Understands The Numbers

Economics isn't all that easy. Go beyond a simple supply and demand graph and most people would be scratching their heads. But Bartiromo got her B.A. in economics from New York University and spent decades on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Suffice it to say we can trust Maria to tell us what's really happening with those unpredictable markets. Bartiromo says that when it comes to her own investments, she goes for exchange-traded funds and is a fan of real estate. Maria, can you be my personal financial adviser, please?

5. She's Gotten Awards On Awards For Being Such A Boss Reporter

Bartiromo has received two Emmy awards: the first in 2008 for Outstanding Coverage of A Breaking News Story (for her reportage of the 2007-08 financial collapse), and the second in 2009 for Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting. In 2011, she was the first female journalist to be inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame. She's even been given a press award by Italy's Ambassador to the U.S. for excellence in journalism.

6. She Is The Host Of Two Different Shows, And Got Her Name In Both The Titles

In the league of Live! with Regis and Kelly, Bartiromo is the host of FBN's Mornings with Maria Bartiromo and Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. She's actually kind of a pro when it comes to persuading producers that it's the fact that she's hosting that gets viewers. At CNBC, she anchored The Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo and On the Money with Maria Bartiromo (which was earlier called The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo). Maria's involved? OK, we'll watch.

7. She Learned Early On The Importance Of Being Serious About Her Job

In her November interview with Gotham, Bartiromo said it was a position unrelated to both journalism and finance that taught her that doing her job should always be a priority:

As the stock girl at Kleinfeld's wedding dress store in Brooklyn, I would try on the dresses, with the veil and all, in the dressing rooms, and my boss kept catching me...she told me to go home because I wasn't serious about my job. I learned a very valuable lesson early: Do your job. And I've been doing it ever since.