Obama Administration Releases New Guidance to Ensure the Civil Rights of Transgender Students
Every student has the right to access education without fear of harassment!
Run like a Girl: Women Presidential Candidates throughout History
It’s no secret that in the United States, women face barriers to leadership — especially in the political realm. Women represent only 19 percent of Congress, 24 percent of state legislatures, and 12 percent of governors (and I’m sure you know that we have never had a woman president — of the country, at least.)
But that doesn’t mean women haven’t tried. Women have been running for president of the United States since 1872 — before women even had the right to vote. And this year, two high-profile women entered the race. Here are some of the women who have tried to crack the ultimate glass ceiling.
1. Victoria Woodhull
In 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for president. She ran with the Equal Rights Party, and her running mate was Frederick Douglass. A controversial figure at the time, she supported issues we take for granted today like an eight-hour workday and many social welfare programs.
2. Gracie Allen
Remember back in 2007 when Stephen Colbert filed to run for president in his home state of South Carolina? It turns out he was not the first comedian to come up with that idea. In 1940, comedian Gracie Allen (of the comedy duo Burns and Allen) ran for president on the “Surprise Party” ticket as a publicity stunt. She used her zany style of humor to make fun of the political process.
Gracie Allen: George, I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m running for president.
George Burns: You’re running for president? Gracie, how long has this been going on?
Allen: For 150 years. George Washington started it.
Burns: But in the entire history of the United States, there’s never been a woman president.
Allen: Yeah isn’t that exciting? I’ll be the first one.
In a time of depression and looming war, Allen provided levity and received several thousand write-in votes.
3. Margaret Chase Smith
In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman presidential candidate for a major party. As the first woman elected to both the House and the Senate, she said that she received many letters encouraging her to run. However, she was not encouraged by the party establishment. At her campaign announcement in front of the National Women’s Press Club, you can hear the audience laugh as she describes one of the reasons she was told not to run: “It is contended that as a woman, I would not have the physical stamina and strength to run. And that I should not take that much out of me for what might even conceivably be a good cause, even if a losing cause.”
Like this post? Stay tuned for more! We’re featuring a story about women running for president in the upcoming Spring 2016 issue of Outlook magazine.
4. Shirley Chisholm
“Unbought and Unbossed” was the slogan for Shirley Chisholm’s run for the presidency in 1972. Black women have long been an integral yet unsung part of the political process. Chisholm was a pioneer as the first African American woman elected to Congress and the first woman of color and first major-party black candidate to run for president.
5. Carol Moseley Braun
Following in Chisholm’s footsteps, in 2000 Braun became the first African American woman U.S. senator to run for president. Braun’s candidacy was often questioned, but she always responded that her record was as strong as those of her fellow candidates.
By running for the highest office in the country, these women have set the stage for many more women to follow. At AAUW, we are encouraging the next generation of Victorias, Gracies, Margarets, Shirleys, and Carols to step up and lead.
5 Badass Women Who Ran for President
On the last day of Women’s History Month, here are some women who should be taught in every history class!
Post-blizzard, Sen. Murkowski notes that only women turned up to run the Senate
Who run the world? Girls. 💁💁💁
Embrace feminism to improve decision-making, says Justin Trudeau
🙌 “Let’s start rewarding politicians and companies who aren’t driven by a macho approach.”
Youngest woman elected to House gets sworn in as Petersburg lawmaker
Congratulations, Delegate Aird, on breaking the glass ceiling!
Women across the word, like Lashrecse, are breaking barriers. We’ll continue to advocate for women in political leadership, including through
Elect Her, our national program to train young women to run for office.
What better way to watch tonight’s State of the Union address than by playing Bingo?
We’ve created Bingo cards with some of the key words women and girls want to hear from Obama in his final year as president. Grab your friends, your favorite snacks, and get ready to play!
Be sure to follow @AAUW on Twitter and use hashtag #AAUWSOTU to play along
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and get in the running to win awesome FREE prizes!
Prizes go to First Place, Funniest Tweet, Best Photo, and more. Print your game boards now.
Think this needs to change? We do.
The fight for gender equality is ongoing, and with election 2016 approaching, there’s so much at stake. You can help! Donate to AAUW by Thursday, December 31, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.
Learn more about Elect Her, our national program to train young women to run for office.
These Four Supreme Court Cases Were Major Victories in 2015
2015 brought in a wave of wins for gender equity. Let’s keep it up in 2016!
1. A Win for the Pregnancy Discrimination Act
Young v. UPS went to the heart of one of the most important workplace protection laws: the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). Passed in 1978, the PDA states unequivocally that pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, and it requires employers to treat pregnant employees the same as non-pregnant employees who have similar abilities or inabilities to work. This spring, the court ruled 6-3 in favor of Peggy Young, which means that she will be able to present her case to the lower court for a ruling on the merits. Had the court sided with UPS, it could have weakened the PDA’s protection for pregnant workers.
2. Women’s Health Care Protected
King v. Burwell was yet another challenge to the Affordable Care Act. In King, opponents of the health care law argued that tax credits that help low-income people afford health care coverage should only be available to people in states with state-run health care exchanges. If the court had sided with the challengers, millions of women would have lost health care coverage.
3. Voting Rights: Victories and Questions
With a major election cycle gearing up, voting rights are on our minds.The court saw several significant cases this term that addressed gerrymandering and redistricting. Two of the most significant were the linked cases Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama and Alabama Democratic Conference v. Alabama. The court of appeals sided with the state. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court reversed, sending the plan back to the lower court for a district-by-district review. Although the court did not rule on the constitutionality of the plan, it indicated that a majority of justices believed that at least some of the districts were drawn unconstitutionally. The court’s decision doesn’t ensure that the plan will be declared unconstitutional by the lower court, but it offers a chance for the challengers to make a case.
As we approach the 2016 election next year, these challenges will be front and center.
4. And Last But Not Least, Marriage Equality Prevailed!
Though all of the court’s decisions are significant, this term will be remembered for one particular case: Obergefell v. Hodges. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that states must allow same-sex couples to marry and must recognize same-sex marriages validly performed in other states. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, relied on earlier cases that had established the right to marry as a fundamental right. Of the same-sex couples seeking to marry, he wrote, “They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Everyone deserves equal access to quality education.
Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas, a case that threatens to limit affirmative action in college admissions.
Despite the clear progress women have made over years, ensuring equal opportunity for women in education and the paid workforce remains an elusive goal, in part because women continue to face discrimination.
Affirmative action programs are crucial in helping break down the barriers that confront women and minorities in education and employment!