More Women in Office, More Girls in School!

Girls and women everywhere are forces for change! Photo from the Kibera School for Girls

As I watched the election results pour in Tuesday night, I couldn’t help but think of the happiness I shared with my She’s the First family across the country. We were witnessing so many firsts in our nation’s history – the first time a state elected an all-female Congressional delegation and Governor (good work New Hampshire!), the first openly gay U.S. Senator, Tammy Baldwin (also the first female U.S. Senator in Wisconsin!), the first Asian-American woman in Senate, Mazie Hirono (also the first female U.S. Senator in Hawaii!), the first Hindu in Congress, Tulsi Gabbard and Deb Fischer, Nebraska’s first female senator since 1954. We were watching history in the making. Issues critical to women dominated the headlines this election cycle, and voters responded by sending 20 female senators – the most this country ever has – to Washington.

Rallying around the “firsts” for females isn’t the only similarity I noticed between She’s the First and the elected female representatives. We’re well aware that educating girls leads to life-changing levels of empowerment and life-saving impacts like less sexual abuse and slavery, fewer child brides and improved health. A girl who receives an education is also more likely to earn a higher income, invest more in her family and send her children to school. Yet around the world, far less girls than boys are likely to finish school. Imagine what the world would be like if we unlocked ALL girls’ potential, and provided the support, funding, and environment they needed to thrive and grow in their communities as change-makers and world-shakers?

Today, women are not only underrepresented in classrooms around the world, but in decision-making roles as well. As we support girls’ education globally, we must also encourage women to seek positions of leadership. Despite the success of this year’s class of female candidates, the push for female representatives in office is hardly over. Did you know that the United States’ federal government ranks 78^th in female representation worldwide? Though women comprise the majority of the nation’s population and voters, the number of female representatives in office remains disproportionately low.

One of the main reasons women don’t run for office is because no one ever suggested to them that they should. A study in 2011 found that because women are less likely to believe they’re qualified to hold office, the females who do run tend to be more effective, qualified and talented than the average male candidate. If you know a female who is a force for change, tell her. Show her that she can advocate for change that benefits her community, state or nation and shine as an example to girls everywhere, showing them that they too deserve to have their voice heard.

When we send women to office, we elect legislators who can offer a woman’s perspective and experience on issues of health, economic empowerment, education and the role of the U.S. in the world. Her voice transcends women’s issues; it can influence the nation as a whole. When you elect a female candidate, you are electing someone who is more likely to sponsor or cosponsor legislation, secure federal funding for her district and engage in collaborative leadership.

I’m thrilled to congratulate the women who have been elected to serve in the 113^th Congress. Not only will they make tremendous contributions to our country, I’m positive their groundbreaking leadership will inspire generations of young girls and women to be leaders for years to come. The record-breaking must continue and it starts with you! Whether you know a girl who dreams of making a difference, or you yourself are that girl, your voice is valued and it is needed. When we value and uplift females as students, leaders and individuals, we change the world for the better.