Candidates breaking through glass ceiling

By Mitchell Winkelman

As the 2011 Western Illinois University Mock Presidential Election ramps up and winds down, a few occurrences could indicate a trend an definitely help some observers appreciate the growing role of women in politics.

Two prominent women from the Green Party’s national ranks have been or will be on campus: co-chair Farheen Hakeem and presidential candidate Jill Stein (above), U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) has an active campaign with local Republican delegates, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was tabbed to replace incumbent Vice President Joe Biden as President Barack Obama’s running mate.

Increasingly, it seems, Americans – perhaps especially young citizen – are recognizing that women are gaining influence and power in politics.

There was a big boost in 2008, when Clinton was a strong contender throughout the Democratic primaries battle and Sarah Palin was GOP candidate John McCain’s running mate, and since then with Bachmann’s rise as a Tea Party Caucus leader and a viable enough presidential candidate to place high in polls.

At WIU, Bachmann finished 5th in a field of seven candidates at the MPE’s Republican Party vote.

But…

Will a woman ever be president?

That’s a question many women have been waiting to hear for years.

“I think it’s great that we now have a few women who have run for president,” said Samantha Cuchbert, who says she’s a Libertarian. “If a black person can win presidency, I don’t see why a woman can’t be president of the United States.”
Other women agreed, including student Sabah Kayyal, a double major in Communication and Journalism.

“Women running for the presidency are just as equal as men,” Kayyal said, adding that she still thinks it won’t happen for a while because of persistent sexism.