Women in Politics - The Persistent

Two women leaders, Giorgia Meloni (right) and Ursula von der Leyen (left) shake hands. Both are wearing pale pink jackets. Ursula has short blonde hair, Georgia has longer, dark hair in curls

Leadership

Trust in Women Leaders Has Fallen to An All-Time Low

An annual index shows trust in women to lead businesses and governments has dropped in major economies.

You Might Like: Women & Politics Recommendations from The Persistent

Books, podcasts and newsletters, even pins and T-shirts that celebrate our hard-earned right to vote, plus a little escapism TV along the way.

Watercolor painting shows Lorissa Rinehart with dark, shoulder-length hair, wearing a black jacket.

Women You Should Know

If She Were Here Today, She’d Be President

Written out of the history of suffrage, Jeannette Rankin was a remarkable feminist and congresswoman. The author Lorissa Rinehart finally tells her story.

Angela Raynor steps out of a black car wearing a cream jacket and bright green trousers. She is wearing sunglasses.

Ideas

The Hounding of Britain's Deputy Prime Minister was Sexist and Classist

Angela Rayner, Britain’s outspoken deputy prime minister, resigned last week after a media campaign against her. A reminder that some will pay the price while others get off scot-free. It depends on who you are.

An artist's rendering of Angela Merkel. She is shown against a blue patterned background and wears a blue blazer.

Forgotten Feminists

My Reluctant Feminist Hero

In a world in which wealth and opulence seem to beget political power, I long for a leader with un-showy discipline. I can’t help thinking of Angela Merkel.

U.S. Election 2024

On Tuesday, Signs of Progress, Too

While all eyes were on Donald Trump's win, sure signs of progress emerged on Tuesday, too.

Illustration of female artists creating a mural of Kamala Harris, who wears a bright blue jacket

Persisting Through Politics

What Went Wrong for Kamala Harris?

In the end, it wasn't even a close-won race. Did the Harris campaign get it wrong—or did the Trump side spot something the Democrats didn't?

Forgotten Feminists

As America Votes Harris vs. Trump, One Woman’s Legacy Looms Especially Large

How Shirley Chisholm, who ran for president against all odds, forever altered the landscape for women in U.S. politics.

Claudia Sheinbaum waves from the window of a car. She is smiling broadly.

Politics

How Do Feminists Feel About Mexico's New President? It's Complicated.

Is Mexico's new president good for women? It depends who you ask.

An illustration depicts a pregnant mother with two kids standing in a cactus flower looking into the distance.

Persisting Through Politics

U.S. Politics: Who’s the Pro-Family Party Now?

For decades, the Republican Party has laid claim to “family” and “freedom.” That’s changing.

Persisting Through Politics

Good Behavior, Bad Behavior and the Usual Dose of Sexism

At Tuesday's debate, the few personal attacks Trump had prepared for Harris were noticeable for their studied lack of sexism—at least outwardly.

A person's wrist sporti a friendship bracelet with a message of support for Vice President Harris.

Persisting Through Politics

‘Unity Is Key,’ They Said. Then Came The Kamala Zooms

White Dudes for Harris, Black Women for Kamala—identity politics is raising millions of dollars for the presumptive Democratic nominee. It’s a strategy no established politico would have recommended.

Black and white sketch of a crowd of figures moving forward.

Politics

A (Nearly) 50-50 Gender Split in the U.K.’s New Government. It’s About Time.

Research shows that more diverse teams perform better. Will the new U.K. government prove the point?

A watercolor sketch of Natalie Campbell, a candidate running for mayor of London in 2024.

Persisting Through Politics

‘They Do Not See a Black Woman as Credible'

Natalie Campbell, a candidate for Mayor of London, on what it's like to run as an outsider in U.K. politics.