Inspired to Vote!

Last night I had the great pleasure to meet a dozen women who are running for our state legislature. Each shared a bit about their backgrounds, how they got involved in public service, and some of the unique challenges they have faced as women! Living in the state capital definitely has its perks! I’ve never felt so connected (in a good way) to government and its resources.

With less than two weeks until the upcoming election, I knew it was time to share some of the research I’ve been doing!

Since women comprise 50.7% of the US population, I was shocked to find out that:

• Of cities with a population over 30,000, women hold only 17.4% of the mayoral positions.
• Almost half of the states have never had a female governor.
• Of statewide executive positions, women hold 23.4% of the positions nationally.
• Women hold only 21.7% of Senate Seats, while they hold only 24.5% of House/Assembly Seats.
• Three states (Iowa, Mississippi, and Vermont) have never had a woman in their congressional delegations.
• Only 9 states have 40-50% of females in their state legislatures. And as a total, women hold 23.7% of the state legislature seats.
• The Obama Administration allocated 36% of executive cabinet posts to women, which is a lower percentage than was achieved under President Clinton, but higher than under President George W Bush.
• Only 33% (3/9) of the Supreme Court Justices are female.

Did you know

• Our first female presidential candidate (Victoria Claflin Woodhull) was in 1872 when she was nominated by the National Radical Reformers?
• Montana elected the first woman (Jeannette Rankin) to the US House of Representatives in 1916?
• In 1922 the first woman senator was appointed to fill a vacancy (Rebecca Felton of Georgia), although she only served for two days?
• In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first woman to serve as governor of a state (Wyoming)?
• The first woman member of a presidential cabinet was Frances Perkins, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933?
• In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith, of Maine, was the first woman nominated for president by a major political party?

Now for some of the facts you probably already know

• Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1981, making her the first female in this role.
• In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro is the first woman to run for vice-president on a major party ticket.
• In 1990, Dr. Antonia Novello becomes the first woman US Surgeon General
• In 1993, Janet Reno becomes the first woman US Attorney General
• Madeline Albright becomes the first US Secretary of State in 1997
• Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007
• In 2008, Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman in US history to win a presidential primary contest
• Also in 2008, Sarah Palin becomes the first woman to run for vice president on the Republican ticket.

Here are a few of the Organizations promoting and encouraging woman candidates
The White House Project
League of Women Voters 
National Foundation for Women Legislators
Center for American Women and Politics

Inspired to get involved in politics or run for office? Visit Ready to Run

Links to resources:
Infoplease Women First Facts 1587-1900, 1901-Present
Women’s Health USA Statistics Population 
Center for American Women and Politics Statistics

Links to Images
Map
Hilary Clinton Image
Sarah Palin Image

2 Comments

1. rosieMade - November 17, 2012, 12:25 pm Reply

   Thanks all for the feedback! I’d love to hear from you about topics you’re interested in!

2. 'Lean in' to this world of (in) equality | rosieMADE - May 24, 2013, 4:15 pm Reply

   […] more statistics on women in leadership? See these blog posts: Pledge to Lift Up Women, Inspired to Vote, or My Dream for Ella which is this mother’s hope for her […]