If a Woman Were President

>>Today we commemorate President George Washington’s Birthday—and, if you’re lucky, you got off work. I love this country, and I want to make it great so I propose we celebrate something different this year. So much has changed since George Washington’s day, but we still have only had male presidents. America’s strength lies in its diversity. This Presidents’ Day, let’s take some time to celebrate what a female president would bring to the table.

1. The United States needs to keep pace with the rest of the world. >>Women currently hold the highest office as president or prime minister in eleven first-world countries—and have already held these offices in a dozen others. Step it up, America!
2. >>Research shows that when women succeed, their whole families succeed. Since women leaders tend to prioritize “women’s issues,” everyone stands to benefit.
3. Women make better bosses. >>A 2011 study found that female managers are more likely to monitor employee feedback and include their employees in decision-making.
4. I want the U.S. president to represent our nation’s population. >>Women make up more than half of the U.S. population.
5. A woman president would (hopefully, finally!) decree that the number of women’s restrooms must exceed the number of men’s restrooms in public buildings everywhere.
6. I want to see the leader of the free world wearing high heels.
7. I want a president who can multitask—and, goodness knows, women can multitask.
8. My wallet exclusively contains dead white men. Let’s diversify a bill or two.
9. Women collaborate. >>Research shows that women leaders are more empathetic, flexible, and have stronger interpersonal skills than their male counterparts.
10. I want a president who will put me first—and for or better or for worse, >>girls are socialized to put others first.
11. We get to coin a new term for the president’s spouse! First man? First gentleman?
12. A woman president would never classify—and allow American >>public schools to classify—ketchup as a vegetable.
13. I want to stop treating issues that affect women as special-interest “women’s issues.” What happens to women affects everyone.

What else would you add to this list? Why do you want a woman president?

>>Mikaela is a nonprofit professional, social activist, and theatre artist from Raleigh, NC. She graduated in 2012 from the College of William and Mary.