No one can deny that women’s roles in every societal aspect have increased significantly in the past century and that women are more influential than ever before. And now, with the presidential elections just around the corner, the influence of women in the political sphere has never been more pronounced.
The first presidential candidate’s wife to ever receive the political spotlight was Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940. She addressed her party’s political convention to campaign on behalf of Henry Wallace, the vice-presidential candidate that her husband had chosen, when many members of the Democratic Party opposed his nomination. However, it was only after Barbara Bush’s speech in 1992 that speeches and appearances by solely the candidates’ wives were anticipated and expected. In the past, the wives’ roles were limited to assuring voters their husbands were, not only good politicians, but also decent human beings. Now, however, they weigh in on political issues that would concern the majority of women voters such as women’s rights, education, and pay equity. They are often seen as, more or less, an extension of the candidate; however, they also provide a way for women to more easily connect with the election and see how the outcome will affect them.
Celebrities, with their highly public presences in society, are also able to exert a certain amount of influence on the voting population when they appeal on behalf of the candidate they support. Obama, as many know, has often been referred to as the ‘celebrity president’ (usually by Republicans) because of the many celebrities who have featured in his campaign ads or who are very ardently committed to his campaign. Eva Longoria is the co-chairwoman of the Obama reelection campaign and Jane Lynch has narrated his campaign videos about LGBT rights. Other known female celebrity supporters of Obama are Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson. Female celebrity supporters unsurprisingly appeal to the younger female voting population because these voters are more frequently exposed to these celebrities and often look up to or admire them. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, on the other hand, is not known for his celebrity supporters, although he does have quite a few.
1920 was the year American women were granted the right to vote throughout the nation. Since then, many aspects of society and culture have changed in a way that puts female voters at the very forefront of the election. Up until recently, Obama has steadily had the upper hand over Romney in terms of female voter support; however, recent polls have shown that many Obama supporters have decided that Romney may better lead this country than Obama. Issues that concern family well-being, contraception and reproductive rights, and more have become topics of great interest in this year’s election as the two candidates spar for the support of all the lady voters in the final stretch leading up to election day.
So, to those ladies who are currently registered to vote but are also contemplating whether or not to vote, read up on the candidates and where they stand on relevant political issues and vote! Vote because, not only are you all American citizens who deserve to be heard, but also because you are all strong, young women who will be the next generation of Americans to live the future that is decided by this election. By voting, you are all choosing your future, not letting your future be chosen for you.