Palin and Clinton International Heroines 2008
Women Who Joined the World Wide Scene of Females in Politics
Oct 21, 2008
Palin and Clinton will go down in history as two American women who ran for the highest offices in the United States in the 21st century, following the path of Geraldine Ferraro who first broke through as a vice-presidential candidate in 1984. Clinton, a political liberal, received almost 18 million votes in the Democratic Primary, a first for any woman in America. Palin, a political conservative, whose fate is yet to be determined however she has paved the way for women of the post-feminist generation. They have joined the list of international women who have won nominations or been elected to the highest offices in their nations.
Palin and Clinton Internationally
Palin and Clinton have become part of the growing number of women worldwide who have aspired to head their countries. Both women have carved out a place among those who had the courage to face discrimination because of their sex. They join an impressive list of international women politicians and winning or losing, their place in history is intact.
Palin and Clinton Political Counterparts
Palin and Clinton may be an anomie in the United States but in other parts of the world, women have already taken their place as leaders. . In an article in Socyberty, ""Women Presidents From Around the World " (July 29, 2008) by Ryan Subong, many women are noted who reached the apex of political power.
For example, in Latin America during the 1990's, Nicaragua and Panama elected women, and Michelle Bachelet and Cristina Kirchner are presidents of Chile and Argentina. Costa Rica has had at least one female vice-president for the better part of the last two decades including Laura Chinchilla. In the Middle East, the most famous woman leader in Pakistan was the recently assassinated Benazir Butto.
Other international women who have made an impact politically include:
- Sirivamo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, world's first female elected Premier Minister in 1960.
- Isabel Peron of Argentina became the first woman President in 1974.
- Lydia Gueiler Tejada of Bolivia, President and Head of the Cabinet in 1980.
- Vigdis Finnbogadottier of Iceland was the first democratically elected female President in 1980.
- Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino became President after the murder of her husband, Ninoi Aquino in 1986.
- Janet Jagan was Guyana's first white and female President. She remained in office until 1999 when she suffered a heart attack and resigned from office 3 years ahead of time.
Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have now joined the international group of women who aspired to higher political office in their countries. Whether they have won or lost, they still belong to that small group of women who had the courage to face the hurdles that are met by females reaching for the highest pinnacles in the political arena.
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