Did the world see the pink wave coming? And is it ready for what it’s going to bring? Because I have a feeling that this is just the beginning.
Almost two years ago, millions of women spilled out into the streets of Washington D.C and cities across the country with pink hats and signs that warned of their unity and power in defiance to the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
On Nov. 6, women delivered their promise and led Democrats to take back the House. They broke records with 118 women expected to head to the 116th Congress, surpassing the previous record of 107, and bringing the number of female legislators to at least 22 percent.
“This is truly the year of the woman everywhere,” the chair of the Democratic National Committee Tom Perez said at an election night party in Washington as results began to unfold on Tuesday night, according to the Guardian.
Out of the 118 women expected to head to Congress in January, there are many “firsts” that will hold office. This includes Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who became the first Muslim women elected to Congress; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress; and Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland, who became the first Native American women elected to Congress. Minnesota also elected its first openly lesbian congresswoman, Angie Craig, and Massachusetts and Connecticut elected their first African American congresswomen, Ayanna Pressley and Jahana Hayes, respectively.
It doesn’t stop there — women also competed in governor races across the country and out of the nine women who won this year, four became the first female governors of their states and territories. They are Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Janet Mills of Maine and Lou Leon Guerrero of U.S. territory Guam
This year, women not only increased their numbers, but they’ve challenged traditional norms of what a leader looks like and have made Congress more diverse than it’s ever been.
These women have spoken out against harassment and discrimination and they anticipate afecting the political agenda in Washington, D.C. and in capitals across the country by promoting stability, equality and bipartisanship.
Right now, I think it’s pretty safe to say that the world needs more innovative leaders who come from diverse backgrounds, and these women are exactly that. They bring structural and cultural differences which will help drive effective solutions and create positive change. As they begin their journey to making the world a better place, they will also inspire women and young girls across the globe to take their chance and get involved with politics.; whether it’s speaking up for what they believe in or even running for Congress in the next election.
So, let’s give these ladies a well-deserved round of applause for breaking records and making efforts toward changing our white male-dominated government – and get ready world because the pink wave has only just begun.
