February 06, 2015

America Preparing for a Female President?

Note: This is a guest post by Hannah Williams

The 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama was one of historic precedence; for the first time in the history of the United States Americans entrusted the governing of their nation to an African-American. Despite America’s reputation as a melting-pot of ethnicities, all 43 presidents prior to Obama’s election were white. It took over two centuries for Americans to elect a non-white leader of the free world.

All 43 Presidents fortunate enough to gain the responsibility of governing the United States did share a common characteristic with Obama despite their racial differences, they were all males. Roughly half the American population is female yet their representation in the White House has been non-existent and representation within government as a whole, although growing, barely scratches the surfaces of percentages relative to their population’s representation.

Fortunately for Americans, the United States probably won’t need to wait another couple centuries for a historically ground-breaking election. The 2016 election is shaping up to bring the election of the first female President. Some had hoped 2008 would be the year females gained ground on the other 43 male Presidents but Obama was able to push past former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Primaries and eventually claimed the Presidency.

The 2016 election seems to be gearing up perfectly for Hillary Clinton to become the first female to lead the United States. But Clinton isn’t the only female Americans have placed their hope in. Fellow Democrat, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has also been heralded for her work within the party and is poised to become the fiercest competition for Clinton during the Democratic Primaries. Senator Warren has publicly denied her ambitions to run in the 2016 elections but many believe her mind can and will be changed.

Despite their competition within the same party, the odds are heavily in favor of a female emerging as the Democratic candidate in 2016, an unprecedented feat in itself. A survey of bookmakers partnered with Gambling.com revealed the actual odds of a female winning the 2016 Presidential Election are 6/5, far greater than any previously held elections. With what many believe will be the eventual emergence of a female Democratic candidate, whether Clinton or Warren, the odds will only increase.

The election of President Obama was a much-needed step forward towards a more inclusive American government but can’t be the only step taken. Females as well as other races deserve equal representation within the White House. The 2016 Presidential election will hopefully just be the next step Americans take towards equality for all.