In the next Congress, 16 percent of the 535 seats will be held by women. That's the largest number of women in Congress, ever. Aren't you glad we have equality now?
Let's be grateful for crumbs, I guess. But don't forget that the U.S. ranks 67th in the world in the number of women who hold seats in the national Congress.
Afghanistan ranks 25th and Iraq comes in at 28th.
The male dominated U.S. Government advised and helped these countries put "quotas" into their constitutions. Quotas for gender equality are a lot like universal health insurance, they're great for other countries.
Obviously, equality and healthy citizens just aren't that important in the USA.
The Christian Science Monitor summarizes the "historic" election results for women:
--The House will have its first female speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
--Congress will have its largest corps of women ever -- 16 in the Senate and at least 71 in the House, from both parties
--Women will hold nine governorships, tied with the record set in 2004
--In state legislatures, a record 2,426 women were general-election candidates, and unofficial results show 1,735 winning, which would be a record
Ultimately, women remain far from achieving equality. In the next Congress, the record 87 women members will represent 16 percent of the 535 seats. In state legislatures, women currently hold 1,686 of the 7,382 seats, or 22.8 percent. In statewide elective executive office - positions such as governor, attorney general, and secretary of state - women hold 78 of the 315 positions, or 24.8 percent. (The figure will drop to 76 in January.)
At EMILY's List, a political action committee that helps Democratic woman candidates who support abortion rights, 2006 was by far the group's busiest year. The group endorsed, funded, and advised a record number of candidates, including 19 women who were Democratic nominees for Republican-held House seats. Of those, 16 were in races considered competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. So far, with four races still undecided, only two women have won, a point that has raised eyebrows. Among the 36 Democratic men running in competitive, Republican-held districts, 22 won.
Many of the most highly touted EMILY's List candidates - including Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Diane Farrell of Connecticut, and Lois Murphy of Pennsylvania - did not win.
Did gender play a role in any of the races? Officials at EMILY's List say it's impossible to say, but they are now analyzing each contest in depth.
According to Dotty Lynch, over at CBS, "[I]f the goal of parity is to be achieved at the current "historic" rate, the number of men and women will be equal in the Senate in 2040 and in the House in 2066. And that's the rosy view; historic years don't happen that often."
Maybe your granddaughters will see it. Maybe.
Facts and Graphic via Center for American Women in Politics
Hat tip to Taegan Goddard
Gender Politics News Election Feminism Equality Congress United States Nancy Pelosi Male Dominated Congress
