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Addressing, American Urban Radio Networks Washington Bureau Chief April D. Ryan, White House press secretary Sean Spicer defended President Trump, saying, "You're hellbent on trying to make sure whatever image you want to tell about this White House stays." (Reuters)

Onlya few hours apart on Tuesday, two black women were confronted by white, male public figures in exchanges thatmany viewed as demeaning and disparaging.

First, Fox News host Bill OReilly on Tuesday seemed to criticize Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.)because of her appearance comparing her hair to a James Brown wig, for which he later apologized.

And ina press briefing later, White House press secretary Sean Spicertold veteran reporterApril Ryan to Please, stop shaking your head again.

Their words provoked angry reactions on Twitterand made headlines on cable news shows.But to many women,the commentswere not all that surprising.

Hillary Clinton said reporter April Ryan was "patronized" and cut off while asking a question during the White House press briefing March 28. Clinton was speaking about sexism and invisible structural barriers during an appearance at a Professional Businesswomen of California event. (Professional Businesswomen of California)

One of these women was Hillary Clinton. In a speech Tuesday afternoon, Clinton spoke of everyday sexism and structural barriers that are sometimes hard to spot but unmistakably present.

Just look at all thats happened in the last two days to women who were simply doing their jobs, she said in her remarks at the Professional BusinessWomen of California conference in downtown San Francisco. She spoke of Ryan being patronized and cut off while asking a question. And she mentioned Waters, who was taunted with a racist joke about her hair.

Too many women, especially women of color, have had a lifetime of practice taking precisely these kinds of indignities in stride, Clinton said. But why should we have to. And any woman who thinks this couldnt be directed at her is living in a dream world.

Ryan arrived home later that day to hear the news from her daughters: Did you see Hillary Clinton? they asked.

And I was like no, andI saw it and I couldnt believe it, Ryan said, speaking on CNN. I was shocked. She later tweeted: Preach@HillaryClinton!!!

Black women across social media sounded off in support of Ryan and Waters, sharing their own experiences in the workplace. Brittany Packnett urged women to use the hashtag #BlackWomenAtWork

This happens to black women everyday at work, Packnett tweeted. Share your Maxine and April moments, so people dont think this is rare.

Today, we were told a Black womans hair matters more than her voice, and our choices are under the control of others, she added on Twitter.

One of the most popular tweets came from Waters herself, who shared the same wordsshespoke on MSNBC: I am a strong black woman. I cannot be intimidated.

Id like to say to women out there everywhere, she added on MSNBC. Be who you are, do what you do and let us get on with discussing the real issues of this country.

As for Ryan, This is just par for the course, unfortunately, she toldThe Washington Posts Erik Wemple. But Ill be back. Ill be back.

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Original post:
Women, Hillary Clinton among them, stand up for April Ryan, Maxine Waters they 'were simply doing their jobs' - Washington Post