If “what women want” has ever been a question that’s racked your brain, let me give you a hint – women want men to be gentlemen – men who have chests of steel and hearts of velvet.

It was with this analogy that the poet Carl Sandburg referred to Abraham Lincoln: “Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet … who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect.”

Sadly, over the past 40 years, there has been an increasing shortage of gentlemen. Starting with the bra burners of the ’60s and progressing to “The Vagina Monologues’” debut in 1998, women, not an evil foe, have waged a war against men. The message perpetuated by plays like “The Vagina Monologues” does nothing more than villianize men, objectify women and destroy mutual respect between the sexes.

“Liberated” women claiming that most of the world’s evils have been caused by male supremacy have decided that because they are “the victims,” they have the right to blame men for whatever’s wrong in the world today.

This mindset has resulted in skewed views of reality with broken relationships as the disastrous consequences.

To help mend this brokenness, the ASU chapter of the Network of Enlightened Women, a conservative women’s club, has instituted The Annual ASU Gentlemen’s Showcase. NeW President Blayne Bennett, said the idea behind the Showcase is “to encourage students to reclaim dignity and respect between the sexes.”

When asked what a gentleman is, Bennett said, “a gentleman is a package of paradoxes: he is driven to be successful but not self-serving … he is confident but not conceited.”

The showcase is an evening event where the 10 men on campus who are most nominated by fellow female students, will be honored.

“Being a gentleman on campus is easy,” said Sam Pagel, a journalism junior who was chosen as one of ASU’s Top 10 Gentlemen at last year’s Showcase. The more people on campus, the more chances there are to be a gentleman, Pagel said.

Matthew LaFon, a thirdyear ASU law student, and another of the 2009 Top 10, said mutual respect between the sexes is gained when men act like gentlemen.

The difference between acting like a gentleman and being a gentleman is what one does when nobody is watching during the daily monotony; anyone can put on an act when under scrutiny.

What women want today is what they have wanted for centuries — a sincere, responsible, faithful and selfless leader who will come alongside, not to demand submission, but to earn respect by giving love.

Men with chests of steel and hearts of velvet are rare these days, but they still exist. If you are one, thank you. You are changing the world, gentlemen, one opened door or “I’m sorry,” at a time.

Reach Catherine at catherine.e.smith@asu.edu