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Amazingly enough, for what some consider to be the “best country in the world,” the United States has a shockingly low female representation in all levels of politics. There are currently 20 women holding the leadership positions of their country, either as Prime Ministers, Chancellor or President.
Sri Lanka was the first country which, in 1960, elected Sirivamo Bandaranaike as their Premier Minister. In 1974, Argentina elected Isabel Perón as their President. Since then, women have held any manor of political position throughout the world. In the United States, however, women have never held the office of either President or Vice President.
While the offices of the United States President, Kazakhstan President and many more have gone without women, there are plenty of women in powerful positions. In the United States, women such as Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Condeleezza Rice are all trailblazers. Hopefully, the work of these women will one day make it possible for a woman to hold the office of President in the US. Even Barbara Walters was recently quoted saying that the USA would benefit from a woman leader.
It is interesting to note, that even countries who are dealing with intense economic, political and humanitarian issues have women leaders. If women can capably run those countries, why can Americans not elect a woman as President?
Only time will tell. Recent American politics has seen Hilary Clinton run for President and Sarah Palin run for Vice President. Perhaps the next time the US has an election, a woman will be elected into office.
