The question of when a woman will become president has been a long-standing topic of discussion in American politics. With the recent milestones of Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, the conversation has once again gained momentum. As one of the few female presidential historians, I have often been asked to reflect on this issue. However, the real question we should be asking is not when a woman will break the glass ceiling, but rather who holds the key to that threshold.
Historically, women who have become presidents around the world have often had powerful family connections or the support of male predecessors. This trend is seen in leaders like Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica and Dilma Rousseff of Brazil. Men have played a significant role in shaping the political landscape and have held positions of power that have traditionally been dominated by white men. The lack of female representation in these positions highlights the challenges women face in reaching the highest levels of government.
While progress has been made, such as Joe Biden appointing five women to his cabinet, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in politics. Women in positions of power often face additional obstacles beyond representation, such as the need to amplify their voices in male-dominated spaces. The narrative of presidential history has long been shaped by white men, leaving women, particularly women of color, on the sidelines.
The path to the Oval Office for women is not a straightforward one. It is a labyrinth filled with obstacles that perpetuate existing power structures and control over who gets to shape the narrative of presidential power and history. Female candidates are expected to be both revolutionary and traditional, breaking barriers while conforming to societal expectations. This double standard places additional scrutiny on women’s qualifications while their male counterparts face fewer challenges.
In order for a woman to become president, society must shift its perspective from viewing it as a novelty to recognizing it as an inevitability. The current political landscape, which often favors male candidates and perpetuates dynasties, is in need of a revolution. As a nation that prides itself on disrupting traditional power structures, it is time to challenge the status quo and pave the way for women to hold the highest office in the land.
