When it Comes to Women in Politics, Can Beggars Really be Choosers?
American women have had the right to vote for less than a century. Prior to passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, the United States already had Oreos, Babe Ruth in the MLB, and Boy Scouts. Repercussions to the late entry of women to the political arena still send shockwaves through modern politics.
I use the Senate here as an example. In its 230 year history, there have only been fifty female senators. FIFTY. That’s half of the total amount of seats that can be occupied in any given congressional term. Many women in the Senate’ have found their way to the Hill through a sort of electoral nepotism--by running for the vacated seats of deceased relatives. But then again, many politicians in general rise to prominence through name recognition brought forth by their famous political relatives. Consider the most recent presidential primaries. Yes, we had a Clinton, but we also had a Bush and a Paul.
The 2010 U.S. Census found that 50.8% of Americans are female. Despite this measurement, only 20% of senators today are women. The United States is a federal republic, a type of representative democracy where elected officials make decisions on behalf of constituents. Since receiving the right to vote in 1920, women haven’t shied away from the polls. Women vote, just not for candidates who would most accurately represent them. In 2016, 53% of voters were female. Donald Trump was elected to office despite superficial, sexist attitudes and infamous remarks advocating for nonconsensual sexual advancements towards women.
When it comes to representation, we can’t afford to be picky. Sure, Hillary Clinton is not perfect. Neither was Katie McGinty. But, 230 years after the adoption of the Constitution, women in politics remain scarce. We have yet to have a female president. My home state of Pennsylvania has yet to even have a female senator.
Since the passage of the 19th Amendment, at least 100 years will pass before we see a female president sworn into office. I hope the political landscape will shift in our favor with the second century of suffrage. I also hope that we see more female candidates and politicians at all levels of governance, but every movement needs a leader and our best hope became a martyr as she fell from her pedestal in November.
This Saturday is Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Women may have the right to vote, but there are many milestones to equality that have yet to be achieved (Equal Rights Amendment, anyone?). Ballots only last a day, but representative voices can last for at least two years in Congress, six years if elected to the Senate. Prove me wrong, America. Prove to me that there is a genderless, equal political playing field. Prove to me that women really can do it all. Let’s get ready for 2018.
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