Why Not a Woman of Color?

Abstract

This review seeks to broaden the study of women candidates and minority women’s candidacies, specifically by focusing on the intersection of gender and race in statewide executive officeholding. Scholarly neglect of this topic risks naturalizing the dearth of women of color in statewide executive positions, sending the message that it is understandable that women lack access to those offices and/or that such offices aren’t realistically obtainable. Using data from the Center for American Women and Politics, the article assesses the status of women of color in statewide offices, examines state and party patterns in their presence as candidates and officeholders, and suggests directions for future research. Due to the low number of women of color who have ever achieved statewide office, the article combines women across racial/ethnic backgrounds into the category “women of color” to make an analysis feasible; however, future scholars could examine differences among women.

An Intersectional Exploration of Psychological Violence, Threats, and Physical Violence of Mayors in 2021

“…The second theoretical foundation of our inquiry is intersectionality. As Biroli (2018, p. 681) emphasizes: “Systemic violence targets women because they are women , although they are differently affected and have gendered experiences that are also shaped by race, class, sexuality, generation and nationality.” Although distinctive experiences among women may result in some advantages (see: Sanbonmatsu, 2015), more often than not, disadvantages accompany those who were and are excluded or marginalized in politics (Bedolla, 2007; Crenshaw, 2013; Gershon et al, 2019; Hancock, 2007, 2016; Hardy-Fanta et al, 2016; Junn & Brown, 2008; Key et al, 2012; McCall, 2005; Reingold et al, 2020; Sanchez-Hucles & Davis, 2010; Smooth, 2011, 2013; Swain & Lien, 2017). Similarly, men differ in their race and class, so differ in their advantages and disadvantages.…”

Women's Underrepresentation in the U.S. Congress

“…Statewide electorates, which are almost always majority White, have been more difficult settings for women of color compared with the context of majority-minority legislative districts. 14 The first Black woman to reach the Senate, Carol Moseley Braun, did so in 1993. It would not be until 2013 that the second woman of color would be elected to the Senate, when Mazie Hirono became the first Asian American woman to serve.…”