We are women and hear us roar!
In the midterm elections recently, the world heard us roar for sure. So many firsts for women in politics this year. And it’s pretty darn exciting. There’s actually too many list. Not a bad problem to have. So check out the highlights below and the link to a full list.
What’s truly amazing about all of this is the equal representation that having this many women in influential political position provides for the country. Equal representation. Those are two very powerful words, particularly for a group of individuals who have been a much smaller percentage of the total make up of government, corporate leadership and beyond. It’s something we’ve all been fighting for, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall into.
Our fight, or rather our road to victory, really began when the US ratified the 19th Amendment on August 26, 1920, allowing women to vote.
There have been many more victories between then and now of course. But if there’s one thing I know about women, we are fighters and we have conviction and we are capable of so much. More than we probably think at times. So I for one, am incredibly proud of what has happened this year.
And let’s not forget to acknowledge the incredible diversity among these women elected into office. Which is also historic in its own right. Included in this “pink” wave are Native American, Muslim, African American, Latina and LGBTQ women. Providing even more of a realistic face and voice to the US and its ever-diversifying population.
And women voted early. They were ready to have their voices heard. More than ever before. Early voting women outvoted men in AZ, FL, NV, GA, TX, TN and MT.
Women are the primary decision-makers in most households. It’s time our voices at home become part of the voice of our government who makes even bigger decisions on our behalf. Like healthcare, education, national security, and taxes.
I’m going to leave you with some highlights of the mid-term elections. But check out this link to see the full list. It’s impressive.
Did you know…
- 50 women ran for Senate in 2018, a 50% increase from 2016!
- 234 ran for the House, a 52% increase from 2016!
- Governor – 16 nominees up from 10 in 1194. Of those 16, which is more diverse than ever, are five women of color.
- Youngest congresswoman ever elected, age 28 Alexandria Ocaso-Cortez in NY and age 29 Abby Finkenauer in IA
- First two Muslim women in Congress ever: Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar
- First women ever in the Senate for AZ and TN – Kirsten Sinema (AZ), Marsha Blackburn (TN)
- First Latina women to represent Texas – Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia
- First African American congresswoman in CT and Massachusetts is Jahana Hayes and Ayanna Pressley, respectively
