Trend: Women in Politics

In the U.S., politics is a boy’s club. But with women like Michele Bachmann and Hilary Clinton in the spotlight, that may be changing. Though we rank 90th in the world when it comes to women in national legislatures, more women are vying for government positions.

Are women poised to take over politics?

“Voters are looking for common sense problem solvers,” Mary Hughes, founder and director of The 2012 Project, tells PINK. “Many believe women have proven themselves by managing the many facets of their daily lives.”

There’s plenty of room for improvement: recent reports show women’s progress is moving at a glacial pace, with women making up less than 17 percent of Congress. Plus, only six women currently hold the title of governor, and of the nation’s 100 largest cities, only eight have a female mayor.

Critics say the reasons few women enter politics include being expected to fulfill certain gender roles of being “less combative,” “nicer” and “more civil.” Others cite media bias, lack of financial support, the prospect of sexist attacks and mediocre recruitment efforts as barriers that exist more for women than men.

Want more? The Women’s Campaign Forum is non-partisan program to get more women into public office through candidate endorsement and training. The White House Project is a nonprofit organization that lets you donate to female candidates and invite women to run.

The National Women’s Political Caucus is a multi-partisan group advocating for and supporting female candidates. Plus, Name It Change It works with various political organizations to end sexist coverage of female candidates by the media.

Bonus PINK Link: Want to help women run for office? PINK’s expert blogger tells you how.

By Brittani Banks

“Great necessities call forth great leaders!” Abigail Adams