Representative Jeannette Rankin, a Republican from Montana, became the first woman elected to the United States Congress in 1916. Female politicians have broken many barriers in our political system since then, including Hilary Clinton becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in 2016. However, the US still lags behind a number of other countries when it comes to women holding political office. At this moment, there are 21 women serving in the Senate and 84 women serving in the House of Representatives, which amounts to just under 20% of Congress. That is leagues behind Rwanda’s parliament, which is 61% female, as well as the UK’s, which is 30% female.
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How Many Women Serve in Parliaments Around the World
Just how many countries rank higher than the US in women holding high political office? Check out this infographic put together by RFE/RL and have your mind blown. 