Women in Politics: Challenging Norms for a More Inclusive Future

As we reach the home stretch of this election cycle, women’s leadership in politics is gaining visibility and, hopefully, sustainable momentum. However, systemic barriers persist, and progress at all levels of government remains uneven. Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic tenure offers a powerful symbol of change, but real transformation happens when women lead across city councils, school boards, statehouses, and Congress.

Learn more about all the women running for office in the 2024 election.

How Madam Vice President Kamala Harris Is Empowering Change

Kamala Harris shattered multiple glass ceilings by becoming the first woman, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President of the United States. Her influence, however, extends beyond symbolism. Research from the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) indicates that high-profile female leaders inspire political ambition among young girls, especially from marginalized communities.

Harris’ policy focus—such as addressing maternal mortality and advocating for reproductive rights—shows how female leaders often elevate underrepresented issues. Her tenure underscores the importance of intersectionality, proving that leadership doesn’t conform to a single mold.

Yet, Harris’ journey also highlights the unique challenges women leaders face, from hyper-scrutiny and gendered media narratives to unfair expectations around "likability."

Women Candidates Across the Ballot

While Harris’ election marked a significant milestone, most political change occurs at local and state levels, where female candidates face substantial structural hurdles, including:

• Funding Disparities: Women candidates raise, on average, 22% less than their male counterparts, limiting visibility and outreach.
• Lack of Party Recruitment Support: Many women struggle to secure political party backing, which further hinders their candidacy.

Despite representing over half of the U.S. population, women remain a minority in political offices. Currently:

• General Election Nominees for the U.S. House: Women make up only 31.1% of nominees.
• Democratic Women: Represent 45.9% of their party's nominees.
• Republican Women: Represent just 16.2% of their party's nominees.

In Senate races, 21 women—15 Democrats and 6 Republicans—are running for seats, though both parties have fewer female candidates compared to previous years. On the gubernatorial front, women are in several key races, showing progress in traditionally male-dominated fields. However, the number of non-incumbent women candidates may not surpass the 2018 record, pointing to ongoing challenges.

What This Election Means for the Future of Women’s Leadership

The 2024 election could greatly influence women’s leadership, corporate board diversity, workplace culture, and gender-related challenges.

As Corinne Post points out in her Forbes article, studies show that high-profile elections of women leaders, especially with strong voter turnout, often lead to increased female representation on corporate boards in those regions.

Election cycles, however, can also exacerbate workplace sexism. The 2024 election may bring similar dynamics, with different potential outcomes. A conservative win could reinforce traditional ideals, often linked to heightened gender bias and resistance to female leadership. Conversely, a progressive win may bolster gender equality and empower women leaders, though ideological divisions may remain.

To navigate these challenges, women leaders can:

• Build strong networks with like-minded individuals and organizations to create collaboration opportunities and support.
• Seek mentorship from experienced leaders for insights, advice, and support.
• Champion causes aligned with their values, promoting policies and initiatives for women’s advancement.
• Prepare for bias-driven interactions to foster constructive and impactful dialogues.
• Maintain a long-game perspective, leveraging resilience to redefine standards, challenge traditional leadership paradigms, and create lasting change.

The 2024 election represents a pivotal moment, with women's roles underscoring both progress and ongoing work ahead. Kamala Harris’ presence is a symbol of this journey, highlighting the advancements made and the steps still needed.

Looking Ahead: What Can We Do?

To support more women leaders, we need to advocate for female candidates through financial support and active participation. Whether that means donating to women-led campaigns, volunteering, or voting, every effort counts.

Together, we can elect the next generation of women leaders and make their successes the norm.

Additional Resources

For a deeper dive into the women candidates running for office this November, visit the Center for American Women and Politics . For the latest updates by race and ethnicity, visit this Center for American Women and Politics post .

To learn more about running for office, visit EMERGE , EMILYs List , and She Should Run .

For help with voting, visit VOTE411 , a resource for essential election information at all levels of government.