We are days away from one of the most talked about election in the history of the United States. For some of us, it feels like it’s been ten years since Trump descended from his escalator and announced his candidacy. While voting is important for everyone, this election specifically should inspire women nationwide to head out to the polls. This presidency will determine the future of some vital issues that affect women directly.
The Census Bureau does a study each year calculating the annual median income of full-time working men and women. Each year, the median income for women is significantly lower than their male counterparts. In 2016, the census displayed a gap of 79%, meaning that for every dollar a man makes, a woman will make 79 cents. This gap is even wider for Black and Latina women. Legally, paying men and women different salaries for equal work is banned under the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Unfortunately, many argue that this legislation is ineffective. Others claim that the current pay gap does is not a result of discrimination, but rather the outcome of women’s lesser paying occupational choices. Our two presidential candidates have different perspectives and ideas on how to address this pay gap. Hillary Clinton has long been a supporter of closing the gender pay gap and supported Obama’s failed “Paycheck Fairness Act” that worked for pay equality. Donald Trump doesn’t often address this issue, but once hinted his position by stating “You’re going to make the same [amount of money] if you do a good job.” As women, college women specifically, this is an idea that should hit home for us. After graduation, we will be entering the workforce, and I personally cannot fathom the idea of being paid less than my male coworkers for equal work.
Abortion and reproductive rights are some other highly disputed issues that could be determined by our next president. Donald Trump is against abortion in all cases except those of rape, incest, and endangerment of the life of the mother. Hillary Clinton is pro-choice and believes that the government should not interfere with the mother’s right to choose. Regardless of your personal beliefs towards abortion, it can be agreed that this is an issue that hits home for many women across the country. For many U.S. citizens, abortion is one of the issues they feel so strongly about, and it could definitely determine the mark on their ballot. Undoubtedly, abortion will be one of the issues tackled by our next president as well as Congress. With two candidates with such different perspectives, it’s important women (and everyone else, really) get out and choose the candidate that best suits their point of view.
The United States finds itself at one of it’s biggest political crossroads in history. Our two candidates could not be any more different, along with their followers. This is not an appropriate time to remain idle and stay home on election day. Our average voter turnout for general elections is quite frankly embarrassing. For women especially, this election could determine the fate of so many important issues pertaining directly to us. During the early 1900s suffragist movement, some remarkable women took a stand and demanded the right to vote. We cannot let these women down. You’ve been given the right to participate in democracy; take advantage.