Judith Steinberg Dean is not a woman who stands by her man – at least in the not in the traditional sense of the word. While former Vermont Gov. and Democratic Presidential Candidate Howard Dean is out campaigning for the Democratic bid, his wife is back in Vermont continuing her medical practice and living life the way she did when her life partner was not a main player on the national political stage.

But though some have criticized Steinberg’s decision to stay out of the campaign limelight, she should be commended for providing a living example of the way in which many families now operate across America. Judith Steinberg Dean is a great role model for millions of American girls and women who want to be their own women – not just people who live through their husbands’ successes.

While Hilary Clinton was a dominant presence during former President Bill Clinton’s term in the White House and inevitably became a role model for women across the county as a strong political player, Steinberg should be seen as an equally strong role model. Her decision to remain in the background during the campaign demonstrates her powerful and separate role as his wife. And, if Dean is successful, her decision to continue living her life as usual could establish that society has finally accepted the idea that a candidate’s wife does not have to simply pick up and leave her life behind to jump on her husband’s campaign bandwagon.

Steinberg has even said that if Dean is elected to the highest political office in the nation, she will move her medical practice to Washington. Her commitment to her own career is a powerful statement for all women.

We hope the country is ready for Steinberg’s powerful show of independence. But in an ideal world, Steinberg’s lack of involvement in the campaign would not even be an issue. Voters are deciding between the candidates, not their families.