Observing the aftermath of the political vicissitudes in 2016 and 2024, where Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris respectively faced the bitter taste of defeat, it leads me to a seemingly inevitable conclusion. It seems likely that when the moment finally arrives for a woman to take the oath as the President of the United States, she may bear the banner of the Republican party.
In the present constellation of political power within the United States, there are 25 women who hold the prestigious Senate seats, and out of these, nine are loyal to the Republican Party. Similarly, amongst the dozen women who occupy governor seats, four belong to the same party. Both positions, senator and governor, have historically represented crucial launching pads propelling individuals towards the apex of political power, the presidency.
Even though my political allegiance lies with the Democrats, I can’t help but perceive an inclination within the electorate towards a female leader, provided she isn’t affiliated with the Democratic Party. The prospects of a woman entrusted with the highest office in the land, it seems, are not overwhelmingly rejected, except when that woman emerges from the ranks of the Democrats.
Switching our focus to an unrelated, but nonetheless fascinating topic, I can’t sidestep mentioning your citation about the age-old traditions of certain Native American tribes. These tribes exhibit a commendable practice where the power to elect or dethrone the chief lies with the grandmothers.
Occupying the venerated position of a grandmother myself to seven brilliant minds, and being part of a network consisting of numerous other grandmothers, I find this tradition especially appealing. Grandmothers are often equipped with a wonderful combination of wisdom and political sagacity, with a fiery passion for their homeland burning in their hearts.
It’s crucial, however, to destigmatize the notion often floated around by a small, nihilistic segment of the society, that they won’t live to see the day a woman ascends to the presidency. We absolutely cannot let this pessimistic frame of mind seep into our political culture and dampen our spirits.
The flame of hope, the prospect of seeing a female commander-in-chief one day, is still brightly burning. With our collective will, we can surely bring forth the day a woman will command the Oval Office.