Women have many political strides over recent decades. However, a look at history shows that in previous generations, women made accomplishments in the political arena that paved the way for today’s women in politics. In the U.S. and abroad, courageous women have fought, and continue to fight for equality with respect to political representation.
Wyoming was the first U.S. territory to permit women to vote, in 1869. Three years later, activist Susan B. Anthony voted in the 1872 presidential election, but was arrested because her vote was illegal. Just over two decades later, New Zealand became the first nation in the world to give women the right to vote, in 1893.
The start of the 20th century saw Finland elect 19 women to its Parliament after granting women the right to vote in 1906, becoming the first European nation to do so. In 1920, American women were granted to vote under the 19th Amendment. In 1930, Russia appoints the first female ambassador of the modern era. This accomplishment is followed by Japan sending women to its House of Representatives and electing a female cabinet member.
Sri Lanka makes history in 1960 when it elects the world’s first female Prime Minister. In subsequent years, a roll call of countries, including India, Portugal, Bolivia, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Malta, Yugoslavia, the Netherlands, the Phillippines, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Iceland, Haiti, France, Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, Jordan, Turkey, Rwanda, Ireland, Latvia, Burundi, Panama, Finland, New Zealand, Indonesia, Mozambique, Peru, Ukraine, Liberia, Germany, Chile, Jamaica, Argentina, Moldova and Brazil have elected women to President or Prime Minister positions.
In the United States, three women — Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton — have been named Secretary of State. The highest-ranking woman in U.S. history is Nancy Pelosi, who served as Speaker of the House.