Trailblazing women who ran for president before Kamala Harris
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LOS ANGELES - Kamala Harris has made history as the first female vice president and now as a presidential candidate. However, many trailblazing women came before her, making significant strides toward gender equality in U.S. politics.
Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1872)
Victoria Claflin Woodhull was the first woman to run for U.S. president. Running under the Equal Rights Party banner in 1872, she made history by advocating for women’s suffrage and social reforms. Her campaign was considered groundbreaking at a time when women could not even vote.
Margaret Chase Smith (1964)
Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for president by a major political party. A Republican senator from Maine, she was a strong advocate for military readiness and gender equality. Her 1964 campaign set a new precedent for women in politics.
Shirley Chisholm (1972)
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 1972. Representing Brooklyn, New York, in Congress, Chisholm ran a bold campaign focused on civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice, paving the way for future women of color in politics.
Geraldine Ferraro (1984)
Although not a presidential candidate, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman nominated for vice president by a major political party. Her 1984 candidacy as Walter Mondale’s running mate remains a milestone for women’s political representation.
Elizabeth Dole (2000)
Elizabeth Dole, a former U.S. senator and cabinet member, ran for the Republican nomination in 2000. Though she ultimately withdrew from the race, Dole's extensive career in politics and public service made her a significant figure in American political history.
Hillary Rodham Clinton (2008, 2016)
Hillary Clinton is perhaps the most well-known female presidential candidate in recent history. After losing the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama in 2008, Clinton ran again in 2016, becoming the first woman to secure the nomination of a major party. Despite winning the popular vote, she lost the election to Donald Trump.
Nikki Haley announces suspension of presidential election
Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday after being soundly defeated across the country on Super Tuesday, leaving Donald Trump as the last remaining major candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination. During her speech she said she has no regrets and will not stop fighting for what she believes in.
Nikki Haley (2024)
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, became a notable figure in the 2024 presidential race. Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina and the first Asian American woman to serve as a U.S. governor, has emphasized national security and economic issues in her campaign.
These women, among others, laid the groundwork for future generations of female candidates, including Kamala Harris, to step into the highest levels of political leadership.