Defeated by Trump, Vice President Harris was unable to break the nearly 250-year-old "glass ceiling" in U.S. history of a woman becoming president.
In a deeply gender-divisive campaign, where women’s reproductive health was a prominent issue, Kamala Harris could not secure enough votes from women to overcome the broad support Donald Trump received from men, including Black, Latino, and young voters.
Before the election, many women rallied to support Harris, with Democrats even running ads encouraging "silent voters" to cast their ballots without revealing their choices. Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney declared that American women would be Harris' "saviors" on election day. Polls showed Harris leading Trump by 20 points on the issue of abortion rights.
At the Democratic National Convention in August, Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, expressed hope that Kamala Harris would "break the highest, hardest glass ceiling" to become the first female U.S. president. Unlike Clinton, Harris largely avoided emphasizing the historical significance of her potential presidency, focusing instead on her experience and women’s issues.
But these efforts were not enough for Harris to shatter the "glass ceiling," and America continued to elect only men as its leader—a barrier that has been overcome by many countries, from Mexico to Italy and Thailand. In fact, 31% of United Nations member states have women leaders. The U.S., often regarded as a champion of women’s rights, remains an anomaly despite women's long history of voting and significant economic influence.
Carrie Baker, chair of the Women and Gender Studies Program at Smith College, views Trump’s victory as a sign of "male dominance resurgence" in the U.S. Republicans, on the other hand, believe it highlights voter concerns about household financial struggles.
"Donald Trump’s victory will lead to a safer, more affordable America for women and their families," said Julie Harris, president of the Republican Women’s Federation.
Harris faced numerous obstacles that could deter any candidate. Her campaign lasted just three months—the shortest in history. As the sitting Vice President, she needed to distance herself from President Biden's unpopular policies, such as record inflation, rising illegal immigration, and international conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Trump made numerous controversial remarks about women, calling Harris "stupid" or "low IQ." He ended his campaign by pledging to protect women "whether they like it or not." His running mate, JD Vance, was criticized for saying Democrats were led by "cat ladies with no children." These words ultimately failed to have a significant impact. Fox News’ voter analysis indicated that 46% of women voted for Trump, with more Black and Latina women backing him compared to four years ago, while support among white women remained steady.
Despite data showing women gaining influence in business and politics, challenges persist. Women hold 151 seats in Congress, representing 28%, the highest ever. They register to vote at higher rates and outnumber men by over 10 million voters in 2016 and 2020. In August, women aged 25-54 participating in the workforce reached an all-time high of 78.4%. Women have also earned more bachelor's degrees than men for 40 years and dominate the college-educated workforce. Senior leadership roles among women in S&P-listed companies tripled from 2005 to 2023, reaching 22.3%.
However, it remains challenging for women to reach the highest positions. The number of women CEOs only rose from 6.5% to 11.8% over the same period. A concerning decline in senior female leadership last year signals hurdles for women, including workplace harassment and greater caregiving responsibilities.
Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, believes structural disparities in networking, fundraising, and work-life balance are barriers for women aspiring to higher office. Republican resistance to diversifying leadership exacerbates this disparity.
In 2024, women accounted for 46% of Democratic candidates in the House and 47% in the Senate, compared to 16% and 18% among Republicans, respectively, according to CAWP data. "Getting Republicans to prioritize women’s leadership is essential," Walsh said. "It cannot be a one-party effort."
Men, feeling their achievements diminish, see a shrinking path to success, as studies by Pew indicate. Thirty-nine percent believe they lag in earning well-paying jobs, and 28% struggle to secure leadership roles. This sentiment, most pronounced among Republican men, suggests resistance to female leadership.
Some women also find Trump’s rhetoric non-offensive and base their votes on broader issues. Pew's data shows Republican women harbor skepticism about changing gender roles, with one-third linking this to weaker marriages.
America, as a nuclear and economic powerhouse, continues to view leadership strength as inherently male. Trump repeatedly emphasized the need for a "strong man" to lead.
"The enduring glass ceiling for women in U.S. politics comes as no surprise," said Jo Adetunji of The Conversation. "It reflects America's ongoing struggle to achieve genuine progress in gender equality and women's empowerment."
(According to Conversation, BBC, AP)
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