When She Runs, We All Win

Since the birth of our country, the majority of people who make up our government have been white men. That is not by accident, either. At the birth of our nation, the only people who mattered were land-owning white men. They were the only ones who could vote and have any say in how our communities, states, and burgeoning nation were governed. In the 244 years of America’s existence, those white men have managed to make a right mess of things, most often failing to speak to a perspective other than their own. And, when you cannot see the world through a lens that offers an alternate perspective, you have little chance of appreciating the challenges faced by many constituents, much less acting on their behalf.

In 2010, the number of women in the 111th Congress was 90. When the 117th Congress is sworn in, that number will have grown by almost 50% as 141 women (and counting, depending upon races too close to be called and run-offs in January) join the ranks of federal legislators. This is the largest number of women to have ever served on the hill.

In state races across the country, more than 1,000 individuals who identify as LGBTQ ran for office this cycle. Here are a few of the candidates whose victories have brought our country one step closer to ensuring justice and liberty for all.

Delaware’s Sarah Mcbride beat Republican Steve Washington to become the first openly transgender State Senator as well as the highest ranking transgender official in our country’s history.

In the Sunshine State, Michele Rayner prevailed in the primary and has become the first openly LGBTQ woman of color to have ever been elected to Florida’s House of Representatives.

In Vermont, Taylor Small, at the tender age of 26, has made history by becoming the first openly transgender legislator in that state’s history.

The more people who represent diverse backgrounds that we elect to office, the closer we come to having a body of government on both the state and federal levels that look more like the diverse country that we are. And, when the hill looks more like those we see in the mirror, the better chance we have at enacting policies that work to the benefit of everyone instead of a select few.

Let’s hear it for the girls! When they run, we all win.

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