All articles tagged with #women in politics
Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas without a spouse in office, died at 94 of natural causes. She served from 1978 to 1997 as a moderate Republican, chaired the Labor and Human Resources Committee, and helped shape bipartisan health care reform named for her and Ted Kennedy; she remained a respected public servant in Kansas and later endorsed Democratic candidates.
US female lawmakers Karoline Leavitt, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sara Jacobs discuss balancing demanding careers with motherhood, from Leavitt stepping back to spend time with her infant to Jacobs and Ocasio-Cortez undergoing egg freezing to secure future family plans. The piece notes the US lacks mandated paid parental leave compared with most European nations and includes perspectives from academics and lawyers on ongoing work-life balance challenges and the policy changes many say are needed.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed she froze her eggs, a candid act she casts as empowerment but that has sparked debate about the political risks and potential misperceptions of discussing personal fertility.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee's GOP nomination for governor on Aug. 6, cementing her as the favorite to become the state's first woman governor and setting up a November race against Democrat Jerri Green. Blackburn promotes Trump-aligned conservative policies and vows to keep Tennessee under 'America First' leadership, while Green emphasizes affordability, public schools, and working families. The race is seen as competitive but Blackburn entered as the clear frontrunner in a largely Republican-leaning state.
Former Rep. Kay Granger, a trailblazer who became Fort Worth's first female mayor, the first Texas Republican woman in the U.S. House, and longtime chair of the House Appropriations Committee, died at 83; colleagues praised her barrier-breaking career, and she retired in January 2025 due to health issues and absences.
Labour’s Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party draft letter urges Andy Burnham to commit to a 50:50 gender balance in a future government, backed by a 13-point plan calling for a female deputy prime minister, a separate first minister of state for women, zero tolerance for bullying and misogyny, better security for female MPs, and action to curb online abuse; Burnham has reassured the group that he will address misogyny in his team and prioritize inclusive staffing.
Shoko Kawata, 35-year-old mayor of Yawata city in Kyoto Prefecture, plans to take 16 weeks of maternity leave around the birth of her child—eight weeks before and eight weeks after—believed to be the first time an incumbent Japanese mayor steps away for childcare. Her decision highlights Japan’s work‑life balance challenges and the lack of legal protections for elected officials on maternity leave, as she appoints a deputy to run the nearly 70,000‑strong city and stays connected by email amid a broader national debate on gender equality and declining birth rates.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Connie Chan to succeed her, saying she wants to ensure women remain at the table after California has seen many former female representatives replaced by men.
Gov. Kathy Hochul named former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate, creating the first all-female statewide ticket for a major party in New York history; Adams, a Southeast Queens Democrat and former council speaker, brings a moderate-to-progressive record and will campaign with Hochul on the Democratic slate for both the primary and general elections, with their first appearance set in Syracuse ahead of the state convention as Delgado selected India Walton.
Japan’s newly appointed prime minister Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first woman in the role, is riding unexpectedly strong public support as she calls an early election for February 8 to seek a broad mandate for change. The piece highlights grassroots enthusiasm, including 28-year-old Miho Kubota traveling four hours to her hometown to engage with Takaichi’s campaign and collect themed souvenirs, signaling a shift in political engagement surrounding the historic leadership move.
Nancy Pelosi, the outgoing House Speaker, expressed skepticism about seeing a woman become US president in her lifetime, citing a 'marble ceiling' of institutional resistance, but remains optimistic that a woman will serve as president within the next generation. She also discussed her retirement plans, her relationship with Joe Biden, and the broader challenges women face in American politics.
Virginia has experienced a significant shift towards female leadership, with Abigail Spanberger becoming the state's first woman governor and women making historic gains in statewide offices and the House of Delegates, reflecting a broader Democratic resurgence and changing societal attitudes towards women in politics.
Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky's first female governor and a key figure in bringing Toyota to Georgetown, died at 88. She was a trailblazer for women in politics, known for her leadership, economic development efforts, and education reforms, leaving a lasting impact on Kentucky.
Kamala Harris indicated in an interview with the BBC that she is considering running for president again, suggesting her political career is not over and expressing confidence that a woman will become president someday, possibly herself.
Sanae Takaichi, a heavy metal fan and protégé of Shinzo Abe, has become Japan's first female Prime Minister, marking a historic and unlikely rise in a traditionally male-dominated political landscape. She is known for her conservative views, hawkish policies, and a background that includes humble beginnings, a love for music, and a career that spans activism, media, and politics. Her leadership is expected to steer Japan further to the right amid ongoing debates about its military and economic alliances.