HRC’s campaign signifies women’s rising role in the political arena
A Politically Blonde Original
Hillary Clinton’s farewell campaign speech just might prove to be more than the soaring rhetoric of a politician.
“Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time,” Clinton said to a crowd of tearful women as she retired her campaign on June 9. “Thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it.”
Having amassed more popular votes than any other candidate in U.S. history, Clinton’s long-standing campaign as the first female to make a serious, presidential bid may signify women’s growing interest in public office. Over the past 10 years, the U.S. congress has seen a 42 percent increase in the number of its female members. Currently, Nancy Pelosi holds the most powerful position in Congress as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Executive Director of political action committee EMILY’s List Ellen Moran believes women are winning because they run, “stronger, more organized, better financed campaigns than ever before.”
“They (women) are in these races to win them— not just to bring attention to the issues,” said Moran, whose organization works to elect pro-choice, Democratic women to public office.
The success of EMILY’s List in itself implies a trend. Since its inception in 1985, the group has become the most powerful political action committee in the country with over 100,000 members. Proving to be a valuable asset for Hillary Clinton, EMILY’s List equipped her campaign with technical guidance, staffing, a massive “get out the vote” effort to mobilize women and most significantly, financial resources. In the end, Clinton supporters like Catherine Spector felt the former first lady’s candidacy broke down a mental barrier for those who couldn’t envision female President.
“Her campaign mobilized a lot of women’s organizing, which was really helpful to tap into,” said Spector, a 29-year old lawyer in Chicago. “People can really put a face to it now.”
Whether or not Clinton’s campaign translates to more women in public office remains to be seen. However, Moran and her organization anticipate an increased number of women to consider future bids as a result of Clinton’s historic run. Moran also believes that when it comes to running for President as a woman, it will be a little bit easier next time.
“Her campaign means that all women running for office will be taken a little more seriously and their ability to lead will not be as subject to gender bias and doubts,” Moran said. “Just as the women who ran before set the stage for her to run, Hillary Clinton has made it possible for future women candidates to compete without so many gender stereotypes and instead be judged on their ideas, their experience and their character.”
