After all this talk of the possible “Oprah for President 2020”, the discussion on women’s involvement in politics has been revamped. Women, now more than ever, have been increasingly making strides towards more representation, respect and acknowledgement. This shines through in movements such as #MeToo and more recently, the Time’s Up stronghold. Women around the world are joining in to add to the distressing number of stories shared in similar fashions.
The talk of Oprah being interested in taking her seat at the presidential table stands to spark more involvement. Yes, people may take a strong stance and believe that this is just another celebrity devaluing the presidential campaign into a publicity stunt. But, I think we should appreciate it for women in its most basic way. Oprah may or may not run, but the fact that she is gaining this much conversation and awareness shows the power women can truly beckon.
When looking at the list of women that have run for president, the number of 45 appears surprising. I personally did not expect the number to be that high. The only woman I have had the most understanding of their political move up the ladder is obviously Hillary Clinton. However, when reading about the 44 other women throughout history that have challenged the male dominated realm and attempted to bust down these walls, it becomes apparent that I may not know the full strength of these women of our history. My presidential history lessons have focused primarily on the men that have served this “great nation”. Some of these women ran before they even had the right to vote. How badass is that?
Even though some people believe that Hillary Clinton was not the right woman to represent the first female president, it still stands a remarkable feat that she made it that far. It is more and more shocking every day just how underrepresented women are in office. I am not going to harp on all of these ways because everyone knows them. It’s just about taking a stance and finding ways to increase our representation any way you deem you can.
I had never considered myself capable of climbing high in political ranks because it just seemed far too big of a challenge in the male commanded dominion. This, right here, is the fundamental problem. No matter if I end up wanting to, I should always believe that I can. Every young girl should be able to speak up in class and say; “Yeah, I could be president one day.”
While Oprah’s 2020 campaign may be all but a hot flashed media speculation, it opens up the awareness that women need this representation, even if it comes from a celebrity. Women must be reminded constantly that they have the ability and the aptitude to lead any country in the world. No matter what stance, on whatever party or whichever issue, women should promote their opinions, beliefs and steps of action. Women must band together to continue to increase our participation, and finally bear that title of 1st Female President, whoever it may be.