COMMUNITY: Another Groundbreaking Week for Women in the American Primaries
SOURCE: Elizabeth Brockway, The Daily Beast
According to New York Magazine, “...studies have found that a major hurdle to women’s equal representation is that women are just less likely to run.” Yet, as has been apparent since the beginning of this year’s primary elections, American women from various backgrounds are continuing to shine in the public service. Although both Republican and Democratic women are doing well in this year’s elections, the Democratic party seems to be making extraordinary progress with Voxreporting that “...146 women have won Democratic primaries in 2018.” The last primary election that took place on Tuesday, the 14th of August continued to highlight this exceptional fact with many candidates making headlines for their all-empowering victories in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin.
One of the most monumental wins was that of Vermont Democrat Christine Hallquist, a woman who became the first openly transgender candidate nominated for governor by a major party in the United States. Powerfully, she is just one of the many transgender candidates who are seeking office this year. According to Victory Fund, an organization inspired to help elect LGBTQ leaders, Hallquist’s success in particular is a “...defining moment in the movement of trans equality.”
In her victory speech, Hallquist stated that her campaign is a part of an incredibly uplifting, positive and all-inclusive “...reaction to 2016”, referencing the rather discriminative rhetoric of the last presidential election. Early Wednesday morning, she spoke in an interview with the Washington Postand gave one of the most admirable and powerful statements of the primary elections so far. She noted, “When you transition, it’s not about what others think. It’s about coming to terms with yourself”, which can easily resonate with anyone no matter their partisan views. If Hallquist wins in November, she could become America’s first transgender governor (I am reading this sentence over and over again and thinking, “How incredible would that be?!”).
Another extraordinary female leader is Democrat Ilhan Omar, a first-term state legislator who, according to the New Yorker, “...won the hearts of Minnesota voters” and became the Democratic nominee for the state’s 5th Congressional District. Omar, who was part of Time Magazine’s‘First’ campaign titled “Women Leaders Who Are Changing the World”, celebrated her win alongside Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, both of whom will become the first Muslim women in Congress if their candidacy succeeds once again in November.
In Connecticut, Jahana Hayes also won the Democratic nomination for the state’s 5th Congressional District. If she wins this fall, she will become the first black woman to represent a New England state in Congress. Hayes recently told The Times, “Young girls are saying, ‘I see myself in you. And if I were able to pull this off, and we can bring that narrative to Connecticut — that no matter who you are and where you come from, that you have a message and a voice that’s important and you’re welcome here — I’ve seen how empowering that can be.”
Based on the many admirable wins in this year’s primaries, it is easy to say that women are continuing to break barriers and set inspiring examples. These victories demonstrate true diversity in America’s still rather ridged political system, ignite hope for those who also dream of achieving change in leadership positions and, most eminently, portray a new vision for the future of politics. It is especially evident that women continue being trailblazers in conquering the glass ceiling, which will ultimately change the dynamic of social roles in a positive way for generations to come.
Publications Referenced:
Victoryfund.com, www.victoryfund.com/.
“Breaking News, World News & Multimedia.” The New York Times, The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/.
“Current & Breaking News | National & World Updates.” Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2018, www.time.com/.
“The New Yorker.” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, www.newyorker.com/.
Thelilynews. “The Lily.” Https://Www.thelily.com, The Lily, www.thelily.com/.
“Understand the News.” Vox, Vox, www.vox.com/.