November 1, 2024/Midnight
Erie, Pa.-– Gannon University is home to over 2,000 students at any given time of year. Within this student body, a variety of different people exist. We are united through our pursuit of education at Gannon University. However, our differences may lie in our ages, career choices, races, faiths, or a plethora of other things. In every aspect that we are different, there is one where we are similar. In roundtable, we explore the similarities and differences in the thoughts and opinions of Gannon students.
The upcoming election has united people with similar thoughts and ideologies but has also divided just as many. But, with only two women to ever be nominated as the presidential candidate for a major party in American history, and no woman successful in a presidential bid, one question remains. How do people feel about the idea of a woman winning the presidential office?
It’s well known that all American presidents to date have been men, but a woman running for office is not a new phenomenon. In fact, MSN reports the first woman to ever run for presidential office was Victoria Woodhull, back in the 1800’s. Though her bid was unsuccessful, over 30 more women have run for president or vice president since Woodhull’s run.
While there have been no female presidents in America, other countries certainly have. Mexico recently voted in their first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, in June of 2024. Countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Iceland have also had women elected to the presidential office.
A study by Pew Research says that, “A majority of adults (64%) say that it’s not at all or not too important to them personally that the U.S. elects a woman president in their lifetime or that the president’s gender doesn’t matter.” While most feel that it’s not important or wouldn’t have a large impact, a smaller number of people say that electing a woman to presidential office is very important to them.
This week, three students were asked about their views on the possibility of a woman being elected president. They were also asked if they believed that it could have a larger effect on society, or, if they believed a female president would make little difference to people.
Epiphanie Uwase, a first year student studying medical lab science, explains that much of her perspective originates from her experiences in her home country of Rwanda. “I think it would make a change, because, for example in Africa we have so many women who are presidents, and there is some differences in those countries. And in my country, we have so many women in the parliament, there so many changes that have happened.”
She adds that it could have a positive effect. “I think a woman being president is a really good choice.”
Uwase also says, “I think women are powerful, and they are in the middle of everyone and they understand everything for the parts of man and women. Women do more. So, I think women have such power to be presidents. It’s really a nice thing.”
Pallavi Vuduthuri, who studies information technology, shares her opinion. “According to me, a woman presidency would be definitely different from a man’s, because I think women are more emotionally invested in thinking or making decisions. So, they think from both sides. A woman presidency would be definitely different, and better, I think.”
Lourdu Sreya Gade, a sophomore studying data science, says that “It would have a positive effect on society.” Gade mentions the difference in perspective that a woman may bring to the presidential office.
Some may find a woman president more equipped in certain ways. Or, some admire how a female president could inspire people, especially other women. Others may not see the difference or are more focused on the policy or ideology of a candidate.
But in the weeks leading up to what is turning out to be a divisive election, having open conversations with each other is an important step back towards unity.
