Are Women the Most Powerful Political Force in America?

One-hundred years ago this month, women suffragists celebrated the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. The hard-fought battle to win the right to vote lasted decades. Since then, what strides have women made toward gender equality? What hurdles remain? Cecile Richards, former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, says women are becoming the most powerful political force in America because they’re in the majority in many ways. Most voters are women, the majority of volunteers for political campaigns are women, and, increasingly, they’re candidates for public office. Richards joins Ai-Jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Katherine Grainger, adjunct professor at New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, for a conversation about women’s progress. Peggy Clark, vice president of Policy Programs at the Aspen Institute, leads the conversation. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.