This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Grades 4-6

Women Leaders

Less than 100 years ago, women did not have the right to vote. Today, they occupy some of the most powerful positions in U.S. government.

When Victoria Woodhull ran for President, in 1872, women did not have the right to vote. Many of the men who went to the polls did not believe Woodhull was a legitimate candidate. She lost the election in a landslide. But her message was clear: Women deserve respect.

Women have made big strides when it comes to political leadership. Today, women work in every level of government. They run cities and states, work in Congress and advise the President. Though no woman has yet been elected President or Vice President, millions of voters supported female candidates in the 2008 election.

There is more work to do, as the numbers below show. Women are working hard today to make up a bigger percentage of tomorrow's leaders.

Congress

Women hold 17.4% of the seats in Congress. That's 17 of 100 seats in the Senate and 76 of 435 seats in the House of Representatives.

82.6% Men
17.4% Women

Governors

Eight of the 50 states have women governors.

SOURCE: womenincongress.house.gov

She Did It First!

Women have gained political power since they got the vote. Here are some firsts.

1925
Nellie Tayloe Ross is elected governor of Wyoming.

1933
Frances Perkins serves in the Cabinet. She is Secretary of Labor.

1978
Nancy Landon Kassebaum, of Kansas, is elected to the Senate. She is the first woman senator who was not a widow filling her husband's seat.

1981
Sandra Day O'Connor is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

1984
Geraldine A. Ferraro, a Democrat, runs for Vice President.

1993
Janet Reno serves as U.S. Attorney General.

1997
Madeleine K. Albright is named U.S. Secretary of State.

2001
Condoleezza Rice holds the post of National Security Advisor.

2007
Nancy Pelosi becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

2008
Hillary Clinton is a presidential candidate in every primary and caucus in every state. Sarah Palin, a Republican, runs for Vice President.

Next: You Know It!