The history of women in government is a narrative of perseverance. Over the decades, from the early suffrage movements to today’s leadership, women have steadily carved out spaces in the halls of power, overcoming obstacles and setting new milestones as they continue to inspire change.
The historical progress of women in government is punctuated by key events that reshaped American democracy. At the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott introduced the Declaration of Sentiments — a document that demanded equal rights and laid the foundation for the women’s rights movement. Decades of activism led to the formation of the 19th amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote and paving the way for more female politicians. Fast forward to the early 20th century, trailblazers like Jeannette Rankin and Margaret Chase Smith shattered barriers in being some of the first female congresswomen.
Similarly, Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 when she was elected as a U.S. Representative from New York, marking her as the first African American woman to serve in Congress. Her tenure from 1969 to 1983 not only opened doors for women of color but also highlighted the diverse perspectives necessary for effective governance. Now, in this century, women have continued to make strides: Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House in 2007, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman and Latina to serve in the House in 2018, Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President and the first woman of color to hold that office in 2021.
Despite the remarkable progress, women in government continue to face significant challenges. Even at the local level. some ASB members at FHS report facing similar challenges,
“At the beginning, it was really hard […] I felt like they weren’t listening to me,” FHS junior and ASB tech team member Ximena Esquivel said when reflecting on her time in ASB. “One time I did talk to someone about it and they were like, ‘Yeah, they’re not listening to you because you’re a girl.’”
Gender bias, disproportionate media scrutiny and the relentless need to balance professional responsibilities with societal expectations remain persistent barriers. For many women, the struggle to be taken seriously and to have their voices heard is an everyday reality. However, hope remains; emerging social networks and policy reforms are gradually tilting the scales in favor of equality.
Across the Bay Area and beyond, organizations and grassroots movements are working to empower women to overcome such challenges. By fostering inclusive leadership, society is steadily blazing a trail for future generations of women to encounter fewer barriers and instead, more opportunities to innovate and inspire.
“You should do what you want,” Esquivel said. “Don’t be swayed […] you should do what you really want to do. Being a girl doesn’t [and] shouldn’t stop you from what you want to pursue.”
