The First Female President

Sri Lanka, India, Israel, The United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Philippines, Pakistan, Ireland, Germany, Liberia, Brazil, and South Korea.

What do they all have in common?

All of them have had women as the head of state or government before the United States of America, according to an article on Time.com. In the world today, there are currently 18 female world leaders in countries like The United Kingdom and Denmark, according to an article on Pewresearch.org, and the Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton came closer than any other woman to adding the United States to that list.

For the first time in history, American voters had the opportunity to put a female into the oval office. While, she did not become elected to the presidency, she did make history, just by becoming the presidential candidate for the Democratic party.

Previously, there were two other times when women were close to the Oval Office, when they were vice presidential candidates: Republican Sarah Palin with John McCain in 2008, and Democrat Geraldine Anne Ferraro with Walter Mondale in 1984.

But, what would it mean to be a woman in America today, with the chance that the most powerful position in the world could be held by a woman.

“I think it would be inspirational,”said freshman Sophia Romano, “because she [Hillary Clinton] is the first woman, and she is showing all her strengths against all the men. It would prove to a bunch of people that just because she is a woman, she can still be powerful.”

Social studies teacher Diann Schultz agreed.

“It would mean that we have gotten past bias against women in high power,” Schultz said. “That we have broke the glass ceiling and that the bias in our society is overcome. Women can say finally we have made a dent, made a change and that women are very capable.”

In Clinton’s concession speech, she made some particular quotes to the young people in America that stood out. She said, “And to all the young people in particular, I hope you will hear this. I have, as Tim said, spent my entire adult life fighting for what I believe in. I’ve had successes and I’ve had setbacks. Sometimes, really painful ones. Many of you are at the beginning of your professional public and political careers. You will have successes and setbacks, too. This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It is, it is worth it. And so we need, we need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives. And to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”