Why, despite glass being prone to breaking, haven't we cracked the barrier that is the glass ceiling yet?
Women's Struggle and Triumph in the Political Landscape
The journey of women in politics has been one marked by constant growth and persistent struggle. From influencing political decisions behind the scenes, to fighting tirelessly for their right to vote, women have been at the forefront of social movements, shaping history long before getting the chance to cast their ballots.
The earliest glimmers of women's political rights can be traced back to the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, the first Women's Rights Convention in the United States. Since then, their presence in the public sphere has snowballed, with women directly participating in government even before they had the right to vote.
One of the most iconic figures from this era is Jeannette Rankin, who became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916. Four years later, she was finally able to exercise her own voting rights. It would take even longer for women of color to gain that same privilege.
The ratification of the 19th Amendment was the result of the tireless work of activists like Alice Paul and the Women's Suffrage movement. One of their most memorable protests took place in Washington D.C. on March 3rd, 1913, where an estimated 5,000 women marched in white clothing to advocate for women's suffrage. The choice of color wasn't just about solidarity; it was a strategic decision, as black-and-white photography of the time wouldn't pick up color, except for white. This ensured the protesters stood out. Today, women politicians continue to pay homage to this historic event by wearing white.
In the decades following the ratification of the 19th Amendment, women's involvement in politics has grown exponentially. Notable firsts include Margaret Chase Smith, who became the first woman elected to the Senate without a prior appointment in 1948, and Shirley Chisholm, who was the first black woman in Congress and ran for president in 1968. In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor made history as the first female Supreme Court justice. Hillary Clinton broke barriers once again in 2016 by becoming the first woman to be a major party's presidential nominee. Despite her popular vote victory, she ultimately lost the Electoral College vote, coming close, but falling short of the presidency.
Over a century since the Seneca Falls Convention, gender parity in politics remains elusive. After the 2024 election, many were left wondering if the glass ceiling would ever be shattered, symbolizing the invisible barrier keeping women from the highest office. As of the 119th Congress, only 28% of its members are women, representing half the population.
The seemingly insurmountable barrier to the presidency is disheartening, but it's indicative of a much larger problem: underrepresentation of women at all levels of political leadership around the world. The persistence of this issue begs the question: do our leaders truly care to create an America for women?
Public perception of the gender gap in politics has changed for the worse, according to a study by Pew Research in 2018. While 59% of Americans believed there were too few women in high political offices at the time, that figure has since dropped to 53%. This worrying trend suggests that progress may be stagnating or even moving backward.
The media is often criticized for contributing to stereotypes about women and focusing excessively on their physical appearance rather than their policies and views. In fact, 62% of Americans believe that there is too much focus on female candidates' appearances compared to only 39% who feel the same about male candidates[2]. With the rapid growth of social media as a primary source of news, this concerning trend seems likely to continue.
The gender gap doesn't just affect politicians, but affects everyone, especially students like Emily Appelbaum '27, who points out that women often have to work twice as hard for the same results. The ongoing fight for gender equality requires continued activism and awareness-raising, but it's important not to fixate on the gender gap to the extent that it overshadows individual accomplishments. After all, women's empowerment should be about celebrating each woman as an individual, rather than reducing them to their gender.
In spite of the challenges faced, there is still hope. 52% of Americans believe that as more women run for office, it's only a matter of time before there are just as many women as men in high political offices[3]. With determination, persistence, and continued advocacy, we can look forward to a future where women truly have their place in the political arena.
Sources:[1] National Women's History Museum. (n.d.). Women's Political History. Retrieved December 03, 2021, from https://www.womenshistory.org/video/womens-political-history
[2] Pew Research Center. (2018). Americans express mixed views about political polarization. Retrieved December 03, 2021, from https://www.people-press.org/2018/06/21/americans-express-mixed-views-about-political-polarization/
[3] Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). (n.d.). Women in the U.S. Congress. Retrieved December 03, 2021, from https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-us-congress
- The history of women's political rights can be traced back to the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, an event significant in the general-news context of women's rights movement.
- Notable figures in women's political history include Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, and Hillary Clinton, the first woman to be a major party's presidential nominee – both instances are of historical editorial interest.
- In news related to current political landscape, the representation of women in politics remains unequal, with only 28% of the 119th Congress being women, as per the statistics.
- The media is often criticized for focusing excessively on female candidates' appearances, an issue raised in opinion pieces on gender bias in news coverage, particularly in the realm of photography and social media.
