Ms. President

Ms. President

In the two hundred and forty years that the United States has been a sovereign nation run by an executive branch, there have been 43 different people elected President. Of those 43, exactly none have been female.

There have also been 47 Vice Presidents selected to serve as second-in-command.
It doesn’t take a college degree to list how many of those were also male. And even a thirteen-year-old can detect the problem in the pattern.
“Women in the past have always been bound by rules of society or culture. Women were not exactly seen as very significant because of some beliefs,” said Kukluck Moua, a thirteen-year-old De Long 8th grader. “True, women may have more vulnerable bodies. True, women were not always respected equally and treated fairly. The sad truth at the end is that in the past, women weren’t recognized enough for doing things that men would do and be celebrated over. Just because women were looked at in those time periods to be weaker, less educated, and bound to different duties and forgotten because of it, males were more dominant and recognized.”

Amelia Thupvong 13-year-old 8th grader at South is also savvy enough to recognize the difference between history and “herstory.”
“If you look in history, the men are always the ones who get to take the lead. Women have always been second to men and we always will, unless someone changes that. Also, women didn’t really have opportunities to run for what they think is right because it was like breaking a social norm. I wouldn’t doubt that women have taken a lead, which they have, but they have never been taken seriously. With a woman running for president, women might actually have a say in our government and history.”

The going assertion in America’s governmental tradition is that voters don’t seem to believe that women can do the job as well as a man can. Northstar Middle School 6th Grader Sterling Blue openly challenged that line of thinking.
“I honestly think that women are as capable, I mean why wouldn’t they be?”

As of 2010, 50.8% of the 308 million US population was female. Ninety-six years and 24 presidential elections after women won the right to vote, this lopsided record raises an obvious and pertinent question: isn’t it about time?

“Yes,” Said Kendra Mangus, an 11-year-old DeLong 6th grader, “because women can do anything men can and now have similar important jobs such as doctors, military leaders, police, firefighters, home contractors and scientists. I would like a female elected because it would help show other young women and girls that we can do anything we put our minds to.”

Moua agrees that the time is ripe for a historical first. “I think it is indeed time that we have a woman lead our country,” she said. “America has been known for its equality and freedom, especially towards women. But if we’re so passionate about equality, then why don’t we have a president that is a woman to show that? Countries like China and England had queens and empresses. Why are we saying that we are equal with women when other countries would have way better examples? It’s about time we had a female president come and prove America’s equality for the world to see.”

“We should all have equal rights,” Thupvong added, “and if men keep downgrading women, we will never change the rights between men and women. I believe she (the first female President) should be a positive turning point in history.”
Between 1963 and 2014, sixty-three other nations elected women as “commander in chief.” That’s a rather late start, historically, but it’s a start. 14 women have run for US President since 1872, including Hillary Clinton, the current nominee of the Democratic Party. Lydia Jewell, a Northstar 6th Grader –like half the country’s populace – feels personally invested in the choice of a female President.

“Having someone who cares about women more than any other president would be nice. I think having a woman president would change how we live, because women have very different opinions than men. It would be exciting to finally have a woman rule our country. I hope that in the future, more women can be elected, because now, women have just as many rights to do things as men, and some don’t agree. But I certainly do.”

The standards by which we select a leader seem nebulous at best, sexist at worst. It’s clear that the expectations of the first female President must rise above both stereotype and doubt.

“I want a female president who can really show people that women have very good potential, and that women can be just as good leaders as men are,” said Moua. “I want a female president who can show the younger girls that there are so many more choices and places you can be in life. I want a president, who will show that women are inspiring, strong, intelligent, worthy of pride, and worthy of equality. I expect her to really use her breakthrough as president to empower those who one day could surpass even her.”

And one day in America, it may indeed hold true, that anyone — regardless of race, or ethnicity, or origin, or even sex – can be President.

“I’m Asian, specifically Hmong,” said Moua. “If I became president, I would really want to show girls of different races and abilities that anything is possible with hard work and commitment. If you can dream it, you can do it. I would do my best to not only support my own country but reach out to others as well. My priorities would be the citizens and economy. I would want a good balance of everything. I have heard about depression and just so many things happening to the workers and laborers of the U.S. I would love to focus on building strong roots for the people as well as strong roots for the economy. So in later generations, I can watch and support proudly as people will have an easier time doing things.”

“If I were president,” Thupvong reflected, “I would get a better understanding on the countries issues. (ie. gun control, our economy, job opportunities, gender rights, issues between classes, etc.) I would also reach out to the people who are suffering under our economy. I would try to think of the situations that won’t benefit one person, but the majority of the county. I would ensure equal rights between men and women, no matter how much work I will have to do. I believe that we should all have equal rights and not be downgraded because of our race or gender. I would speak respectfully to everyone and not be stereotypical. I would overall do what is best for my country, just like a respectful president should.”

“If I were President,” said Mangus, “I would allow women to spend more time with their newborn babies and have paid maternity leave. Also, I would pass laws on respect for others who are the same and different. I would focus on making lives more positive and bring people together. I do not want a world war three.”

“If I were President I don’t know what I would do, but I do know I am not quite cut out for the role yet,” Blue said. “Honestly I am excited to someday have a woman as our country’s leader, someday.”
That day could come as soon as November 8th.

Steve Betchkal
Senior Videojournalist
CVCTV News

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