More Women in Politics? Yes, Please.
Written by Ashley Alvarado & Katie Collins, Photography by Stephanie Carrillo, Design by Anna Keller, Media by Anna Cowan
She has been held back from following her dreams and been told to settle for less—and to let the man speak. And she has been held to a double standard, shamed for things her male opponents may not be judged for. Guess what? She has had enough. Kamala Harris has shattered a monumental glass ceiling as the first Black and South Asian woman to be elected Vice President of the United States.
““Girl, you have done it again!” ”
Throughout history, there have been three feminist movements where courageous women have joined forces and proved to the world how powerful their voices really can be. From Seneca Falls to the passage of the 19th amendment and our fight for wage and job equality, we have seen how women have audaciously fought to be seen, heard, and respected. The fight for equality is paying off, with more women taking on leadership roles only men have previously occupied, in every field. Today, women are doctors, engineers, business owners, teachers, and public officials.
As you may have seen on social media, politics have recently created a lot of buzz. Especially during election season, it was almost impossible to avoid hearing about anything and everything related to politics. Although political news can be negative, a positive trend was the rise of “girl power” in our nation’s capital. We now see women serving as governors, senators, congresswomen, justices, Speakers of the House, and so much more. We have witnessed our communities transform significantly. Despite the backlash some female politicians have received on the basis of gender, they have risen above the opposition with grace and continue to fiercely serve their people. So many influential women—Democrats and Republicans alike—have helped make our world a better place. The evidence is undeniable: Beyoncé even dedicated an entire song to how “Girls Run the World.” No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall under, we can all agree that we should support more ladies who run for office.
Why should we support more women in politics?
““Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” ”
The progressive impact of women in politics is undeniable. Women have proven time and time again to be capable leaders who make a beneficial difference, leading as serving just as effectively as their male counterparts. As our social climate is becoming more inclusive, so should the leaders representing us. By electing more women as government officials, we form a democracy that’s more representative of the people that inhabit our communities. With more female leaders, it is more likely that policies will be advocated that support womens’ unique needs as well. Lastly, by electing more females into office, we can empower young girls across the globe. It’s important to teach the world that women belong in strong leadership positions. It’s important to tell her that yes, she can.