For over 200 years, the presidency in the United States has been an all-male domain. While women have broken through barriers across the globe, one critical question still lingers in America: Why hasn’t the U.S. shattered that ceiling yet? In this week’s episode of Pussy Tangent, we dig into the complexities of women in leadership, the systemic barriers that persist, and why electing a woman president is only part of the solution. Enough with the glass ceiling. Time to shatter it all.
In this blog post, we’ll expand on some of the key themes from the episode, unpacking the deeper challenges we face and why symbolic victories like electing one woman to the Oval Office are not enough to bring about real change for all of us.
The Glass Ceiling: Cracked, But Far From Shattered
The concept of the glass ceiling is one many of us are familiar with. We know the barriers that stand in the way of women achieving leadership positions, especially in spaces traditionally dominated by men. And while progress has been made, it's clear that the ceiling, while cracked, is still very much intact. Even if we see the first woman president in the U.S., it doesn’t mean that the ceiling will be shattered for all of us.
To truly break the glass ceiling, we need more than a symbolic victory at the top. We need systemic changes that allow women from all walks of life to rise without being held back by bias, double standards, and unrealistic expectations.
Sexualization vs. Dismissal: The Double Bind Women Face
One of the most insidious barriers women face is the sexualization vs. dismissal paradox. If we fit into society’s narrow definition of beauty, we’re objectified, and our leadership and intelligence are sidelined in favor of discussions about our looks. If we don’t meet those conventional beauty standards, we’re dismissed, as though our contributions hold no value without physical appeal.
This double bind places women in a no-win situation: either we’re too attractive to be taken seriously, or we’re not attractive enough to matter. And while men in power rarely, if ever, face scrutiny about their appearance, women are subjected to constant judgment on how we look—often overshadowing our qualifications and accomplishments.
Take the example of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president in 1972. Her campaign was groundbreaking, but she faced an additional layer of discrimination as both a woman and a person of color. Chisholm once said, “The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, ‘It’s a girl.’” Her words still resonate today as we continue to face the challenge of being judged not by our capabilities, but by how well we conform to society’s expectations.
The First Woman President: A Symbol, But Not a Solution
The election of the first woman president will be a landmark achievement, no doubt. But it’s important to recognize that this victory, while significant, will not fully dismantle the structural barriers that keep many women from reaching leadership positions. In fact, this ceiling is likely to be fortified by those who benefit from keeping the system as it is.
True progress happens when all women—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or profession—can lead without resistance. As we discuss in the episode, the ceiling is shattered not just when one woman rises to power, but when the playing field is leveled for all of us. When women no longer need to bring a sledgehammer into the boardroom just to be heard, that’s when we know the fight has been won.
Honoring the Pioneers: From Victoria Woodhull to Modern Leaders
This conversation wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the pioneers who paved the way for us. Victoria Woodhull made history in 1872 as the first woman to run for president, even though women wouldn’t win the right to vote until 1920. Woodhull’s audacity challenged the status quo of her time, and her boldness still echoes through the generations.
Fast forward 100 years to Shirley Chisholm, who made her own waves by becoming the first Black woman to run for the highest office in the land. These women cracked the ceiling, showing that leadership wasn’t an exclusively male domain, but their efforts were just the beginning.
Today, we see women like Angela Merkel, Jacinda Ardern, and Hillary Clinton leading and influencing major decisions on the global stage. Their leadership styles, often based on collaboration, empathy, and resilience, defy the traditional, male-dominated expectations of leadership.
But the question remains: Why hasn’t the U.S. followed suit? And more importantly, when we do see a woman in the Oval Office, will it be enough to bring about real, systemic change?
Moving Beyond Symbolic Victories
At Pussy Tangent, we believe in going deeper than the surface. Electing a woman president will be a milestone, but it must be followed by real, meaningful change. It’s time to dismantle the old systems and build new structures where women can lead without having to constantly prove their worth or fight to be seen.
As we mentioned in the episode, the glass ceiling won’t truly be shattered until all women can step into leadership roles without carrying the weight of bias, scrutiny, and stereotypes. It’s time for society to stop expecting us to conform and start valuing us for the diverse leadership styles, perspectives, and ideas we bring to the table.
Enough is enough. The glass ceiling needs to be shattered, not just cracked. Are we ready to move from cracks to collapse?
Call to Action:
What do you think? Are we ready to see real, systemic change for women in leadership? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to tune into the full episode of Pussy Tangent where we unpack these ideas further and challenge the status quo.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2265723/episodes/16025443
