On January 6, 2025, the U.S. presidential race officially concluded with the Electoral College’s confirmation of votes, announcing Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, as the victor.

His opponent, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the second woman to reach the final stage of the presidential elections, faced defeat.

This presidential race was marked by numerous surprises. Initially, the race was anticipated to revolve around Trump and Biden, with the first debate held between them. However, a surprising announcement from the White House revealed Biden’s withdrawal from the race, nominating his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidate.

Harris, who was not previously a prominent contender, became the second woman to seriously challenge for the presidency, following Hillary Clinton.

When reflecting on American women’s participation in presidential elections, the names Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris often dominate the conversation. However, the journey of American women pursuing the presidency spans decades. Despite 59 presidential terms and 64 male presidents, no woman has secured the presidency.

Women's engagement in U.S. politics is relatively recent compared to men. When the U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1789, women were excluded from voting. It was not until 1920, after persistent activism, that women were granted suffrage. This historical context underscores the systemic challenges women face in American politics.

Historically, numerous women have left an indelible mark on presidential races. Among the most notable candidates:

• Victoria Woodhull became the first woman to run for president in 1872, representing the Equal Rights Party. A trailblazer for women’s rights and gender equality, Woodhull faced significant legal and societal obstacles, including imprisonment on election day due to the lack of legal recognition for women’s political participation.

• In 1884, Belva Lockwood, a pioneering attorney and women’s rights activist, ran for president. She was instrumental in passing legislation that allowed women to practice law in the Supreme Court, becoming the first woman to argue cases before it.

• Shirley Anita Chisholm broke barriers in 1972 as the first African-American woman to run for president. Known for her advocacy for women’s rights and racial equality, Chisholm also made history as the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1969.

• Ellen McCormack ran for president twice, in 1976 and 1980, representing the Conservative Party. She gained financial support from private donors and public funds due to her alignment with socially conservative causes, including opposition to abortion during a period of heightened social activism.

• Lenora Fulani ran as an independent candidate in 1988, representing the New Alliance Party. She was the first African-American woman to appear on all 50 state ballots, earning cross-party support despite her independent candidacy.

• Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party’s 2008 presidential candidate, was the first African-American woman to represent Georgia in Congress. She was known for her advocacy for minority rights and social justice.

• Michele Bachmann, a Republican candidate in 2012, gained recognition for her staunchly conservative views during her tenure in Congress and her subsequent political activism.

• Jill Stein, a physician and environmental advocate, ran twice, in 2012 and 2016, as the Green Party’s nominee. Her campaigns emphasized environmental sustainability and social justice.

• Hillary Clinton made history in 2016 as the first woman nominated by a major party (the Democratic Party) to reach the final stage of the presidential election. Although she won the popular vote by over 2.8 million votes, she lost to Donald Trump due to the Electoral College system.

• Kamala Harris, a seasoned politician and attorney, served as California’s Attorney General and became the first female Vice President. She is also the first woman of African and South Asian descent to hold the position. In 2024, she represented the Democratic Party in the presidential race.

In conclusion, American women’s engagement in politics is relatively recent compared to men, which statistically places men at an advantage in securing political positions. Furthermore, the narrative suggesting that voters of both genders are reluctant to support female candidates or that American society is not yet ready to vote for a woman is inaccurate. Polls conducted by the "Bibo Research Center" indicate that 52% of women and young voters preferred Kamala Harris.

Additionally, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 election against her opponent Donald Trump by more than 2.8 million votes from both genders. However, her loss was attributed to her failure to secure sufficient Electoral College votes, highlighting a persistent reluctance among some Electoral College members to vote for a female candidate.

Political sociology provides an explanation for this bias, identifying it as "pragmatic bias" or "functional bias," where voters refrain from supporting a candidate, despite their qualifications, due to a perceived lack of electability.