BY: Marci Bryant
The 117th Congress of the United States commenced on January 3, 2021 with an unprecedented number of women as elected leaders. 144 of current Congressional seats are held by women, an increase of 50% from the previous decade. As we continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, let us never forget the women who fought tirelessly to recognize women as full citizens with equal rights.
American voting began in 1789, with the right exclusively afforded to white men who were property owners. Nearly 60 years later in 1848, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton held the first Women’s Rights Conference in Seneca Falls, NY. It was at this conference that Stanton revealed the Declaration of Sentiments, a manifesto that would guide the women’s suffrage agenda for more than 70 years and pave the way for women’s voting rights in 1920.
n the last century, women have made great strides in politics through the many branches of local and national governance. Here are five political roles women have used to make an impact in government, and some of the women who have held those positions.
Presidential Campaigns
In 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first female presidential candidate of the United States, preceding the official women’s suffrage movement and the 19th amendment.
Lucretia Mott was the first candidate to receive votes at a national political convention.
Margaret Chase Smith was the first female presidential candidate for a major party.
Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Donald Trump in the popular vote by more than 3 million votes despite losing the Electoral College vote in 2016.
Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first female Vice President, working alongside President Joe Biden to defeat Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the 2020 Election.
Supreme Court
Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to join the Supreme Court in 1981.
Sonja Sotamayor, the first Hispanic in the Supreme Court, was appointed by President Obama. Ruth Bader Ginsberg was perhaps the most popular female SCOTUS, revered as an icon for justice and feminism.
Governors
Nellie Ross, who was the first female Governor, was elected in Wyoming during a special election and served from 1925 to 1927.
Nikki Haley, who served as Governor of South Carolina, resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration
Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, met President Trump’s ire with her state shutdown during the COVID pandemic, which significantly lowered the curve of infection rates in the state during its downtime. She was considered for the VP role, but declined consideration to continue governing.
Stacey Abrams, who lost to secretary of state Brian Kemp, turned her efforts to voter education and activism. Georgia became a true battleground state, offering a stunning victory for President Joe Biden in 2020.
Secretary of State
Madeline Albright was the first woman to hold the esteemed position of Secretary of State.
Condoleeza Rice went on to become the next female Secretary of State, under George W. Bush.
After losing the presidential election to President Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton was appointed to his Cabinet as Secretary of State. Her tenure was mired in controversy from Benghazi to an email scandal that tarnished her presidential run in 2016.
First Lady
Abigail Fillmore was the first FLOTUS to focus on education and learning as a hallmark of her duties. She was a champion for the White House library.
Betty Ford, who was transparent about her health and personal challenges, became a champion for several national issues. She was a staunch supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment for Women, made breast cancer a more visible issue on the national stage, and established the Betty Ford Center in 1982 to address substance and alcohol abuse.
Michelle Obama created Let’s Move as a national initiative was created to combat childhood obesity. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was inspired by Mrs. Obama’s improved nutrition standards for the children of America. As we celebrate International Women’s Month this first quarter of 2021, let us always remember the many women who sacrificed to make America a better place for all.
Marci Bryant, MBA is a corporate sales and marketing strategist, speaker, trainer, and mother of one amazing toddler. To contact her, please visit www.marcibryant.com