The 2024 Democratic National Convention marks a significant moment in American political history, with Hillary Clinton returning to the stage in a role that echoes her groundbreaking 2016 campaign. Eight years after her own nomination as the first woman presidential candidate from a major U.S. party, Clinton now supports Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency.
This convention highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality in American politics. Despite women comprising 51% of the U.S. population, they hold only 28% of Congressional seats as of 2024. The United States ranks 72nd globally in women's representation in national legislatures, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by female politicians.
Clinton's journey through Democratic conventions spans decades, from her appearance as First Lady in 1996 to her roles as a rising candidate, vanquished contender, and ultimately, the party's nominee. Her 2016 campaign, while unsuccessful, paved the way for future female candidates. It's worth noting that women's political participation has come a long way since the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.
Kamala Harris's nomination represents another milestone, as she is already the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to serve as Vice President. Her ascent to the top of the ticket draws parallels to Clinton's 2016 run, though Harris has chosen to place less emphasis on her gender during the campaign.
The road to this moment has been long and arduous. Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for U.S. president in 1872, nearly a century before Shirley Chisholm made history as the first African American woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. Other trailblazers include Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket in 1984, and Sarah Palin, who became the first Republican woman vice presidential nominee in 2008.
Clinton's speech at the convention is expected to address the "unfinished business" of electing a woman president. Her experience and insights are valuable, especially considering the challenges she faced during her campaign, including personal attacks and accusations of playing the "woman's card."
The impact of Clinton's 2016 run extends beyond her personal political career. It has been credited with awakening a "sleeping giant of American women's political power," which has been particularly evident since the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.
As the convention unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still to be done in achieving equal representation in American politics. From Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress in 1916, to Nancy Pelosi becoming the first woman Speaker of the House in 2007, each milestone brings the nation closer to true gender parity in political leadership.
"We just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet."
The 2024 Democratic National Convention, with Clinton's speech and Harris's nomination, represents another step forward in this long journey. It reflects both the achievements of the past and the aspirations for a future where a candidate's gender is no longer a defining factor in their political career.