In advance of of the 2020 elections—and the 100th year of women’s right to vote—I spoke to Katherine Spillar, executive editor of Ms., about the role feminists played in the last election, and how we can continue expanding on our victories.
Inspired by the massive Women’s March movement, encouraged by feminist organizations and energized by passionate volunteers, record numbers of women candidates—many of them first-timers—stepped forward to run for office in the midterm elections. And they won in historic numbers.
The historic wins for women on Election Day were also victories for the Affordable Care Act and the people who rely on its benefits—and that’s no coincidence.
At least 110 women will serve in the U.S. House and Senate next year, accounting for 20 percent of all seats in Congress. And at least 60 percent of them are former Girl Scouts.
We asked experts on gender, race and politics to weigh in on the 2018 election results, sharing their reactions to what happened and insights and analyses from research, practice and personal sentiments.
“At a time like this, we need an experienced Speaker of the House who has a proven record of passing landmark legislation that improves the lives of the American people. That leader, without a shadow of a doubt, is Nancy Pelosi.”