Mrs. America
Kamala Harris is going to be the first woman in a Vice President role, but cannot really thank American women for this achievement
If you were glued to the news this past week as I was, you’ve likely seen that upon hearing the news of Senator Kamala Harris being the first woman to assume the role of Vice President of the United States, women across the globe rejoiced. Social networks were flooded with photos and quotes of Harris, celebrating another glass ceiling that was shattered, 100 years after American women were given the right to vote.
Having an additional role model in a position of power, paving the way for other women in leadership roles, does make a difference — not just for American women, but for all women. It was a big moment for me, as a supporter of gender equality, however it was overshadowed by one thing: American women were not the main demographic that helped Kamala Harris shatter this glass ceiling.
Women of America
4 years ago, I wrote an article entitled “Women of America, You Blew It,” expressing my disappointment with the results of the 2016 US election, and wondering how, 96 years after being granted voting rights, only 54% of American women voted for Hillary Clinton whilst the rest opted for a President that symbolizes everything they should despise and fight against in my opinion.
Looking at the latest data regarding the 2020 election, 56% of women voted for Biden-Harris, a majority, and probably a record in terms of gender gap, but still very similar to the 2016 election. What probably turned the tables in this election (we do not have the final numbers yet) were other minority votes. Approximately 90% of black voters chose Biden-Harris with this community being encouraged to cast votes and make a difference (hats off to the amazing work of Stacy Abrams in Georgia, by way of example).
Looking at these numbers, I have to wonder if Harris, the first female, first African American and first Indian VP elect, has won this triple “first” because she is a woman, or because of her descent.
Can women come together to promote gender parity and elimination of bias? 44% of American women voters did not think so. Of course I’m not suggesting that women should vote on a ticket just because it encompasses a female. However, if women in America want to safeguard their rights, and believe in diversity and inclusion, then in my mind it’s a no brainer to have voted for a Biden-Harris ticket.
I recently watched the miniseries “Mrs. America” which tells the story of Phyllis Schlafly (a conservative Republican) and her fight against the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. The “second-wave” feminists at the time could not believe a group of women would not be supporting their cause. They were fighting for all women! 50 years later it seems we have not come very far, and moreover, we are still surprised.
Our only way to truly shatter the glass ceiling for women today and for future generations, is to stand together promoting a joint agenda, because no President can run the risk of losing the vote of women.
Another First
Lastly, in all the celebrations around the first female Vice President being elected, I have not seen many mentions of another “first” in this election that has an impact on women: Dr. Jill Biden will be the first First Lady to keep her own career while in the White House, which is almost as important and symbolic as the Harris win.
Here’s to a future of equality and 2021 being a year of decency and togetherness.
