The cabinet of Biden will be composed by a record number of women
MADRID, 18 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
“We made it, Joe,” said the vice-president elect of the united States, Kamala Harris, when the media projected the democrat victory in the presidential elections of 3 November. And, even though Joe Biden had done it, the triumph of its companion of formula, nor is it insignificant, but it is a milestone that will add to the list of barriers that she has overcome.
The political career of Harris, 56 years, is plagued by achievements transcendental. The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, has been district attorney of San Francisco, the first black woman attorney general of California and, in 2017, became the second senator black of the united States.
Hence, and as the first vice-president of the american nation –also the first person of black race to achieve such a distinction– will become the woman who holds the position of highest rank in the history of the united States, an achievement that until now was held by the president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Although the office of vice-president is usually underestimating by ‘second rate minion’, assuming that it is basically a testimonial, Harris shall have the power to, for example, decant the balance in favor of the Democratic Party in the Senate, tied in number of members, republicans and democrats, thanks to his casting vote.
As a woman, not a white in an environment that is predominately white, its historic triumph represents millions of women often overlooked, historically under-represented and systematically ignored. For the first time in over 200 years of history of the country, this profile becomes the recipient of this new power that embodies Harris.
“You being here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me,” recalled Harris during the acceptance speech of his nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August.
For women, in general, their presence can make the difference, since one of the reasons that influence the low participation in politics is, precisely, the lack of role models. The work of Harris can, therefore, alleviate the gender gap in politics.
“I feel that the black girls like me can run for a delegate of the class, black women as I can go for great things in life as did she,” said Paris Bond, a girl of 14 years, the television network CNN in August.
“No one can deny the power of seeing someone who you share an identity, such as your gender or your race, that are so important in american society, certainly, in a position of power,” says the director of the Gender Initiative of the Harvard Business School, Colleen Ammerman, according to the magazine ‘Forbes’.
During his race for the White House, has never avoided to mention the problems it has faced while trying to make their way in politics, emphasizing that people have always tried to encajonarla. “I didn’t listen. And we win” impact.
The same vice-president-elect has made reference to the barriers that he has broken during his lifetime in elections. In his opinion, to be the first requires that voters “can see it can break free of what has been.” Perhaps, what best describes the journey made by Harris is the phrase that his mother, Shyamala, I used to say: “you May be the first to do many things, but make sure not to be the last”.
ONE MORE STEP
The Vice-president placed on Harris as a strong candidate for the Presidency in future elections, in case you opt for a run again, as it did in the race of 2020.
In addition, in the event that the president died or become incapacitated –Biden is 78 years old– could enter the Oval Office in a country in which the gender gap still remains considerable.
Currently, 122 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives are women, a 27.2 per cent. Although low, it is a figure of female representation record.
In the Senate make up about 26 percent, are 26, 100. In total, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 25.1 percent of parliamentarians worldwide are women.
In addition, that Kamala Harris was the president of the country’s most rich, powerful and influential in the world would make a difference in a world in which, in June of 2019, only 11 women are heads of State and 12 heads of government, according to data disseminated by UN Women.
Americans are divided on the possible Presidency of Kamala Harris. A survey produced by Pew Research shows that half of the respondents believe that Harris is “qualified” to serve as president, while 47 percent are against. They are the majority –55 percent– those who expect to exert the “influence adequate” in the administration, Biden.
On the contrary, another 36 percent considered that you’ll end up assuming an “excessive burden of responsibilities”, while only 7 percent anticipated that it will be a figure “testimonial”.
Harris and Biden will take office as vice-president and president of the united States this Wednesday. “It is about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have much work ahead. Let’s begin,” said the vice-president to win the elections.
THE CABINET WITH MORE WOMEN OUT OF THE STORY
On the other hand, the cabinet of Biden will be the more presence women have in the entire history of the united States. The president-elect has nominated women for five of the 15 posts of the first line, a figure that exceeds by one the records beaten by his predecessors Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The first two included four women in their original cabinets of their second mandates, as Obama did in his first term.
The nominating Biden for positions in the u.s. Executive are historic also for other reasons. As promised, “the White House and the cabinet will be as the country.” Even without gender parity, the team of Biden will beat records on diversity, which breaks at least two ‘glass ceilings’.
In the list, highlights Janet Yellen, the first woman to chair the U.s. Federal Reserve, the bank of the largest economy in the world, as the first woman to be secretary of the Treasury. Also the member of the House of Representatives Deb Haaland for the secretary of the Interior that, if confirmed, would be the first native american member of the cabinet.
Biden has also been nominated to the congress Marcia L. Fudge to direct the urban development and housing, the former governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm to lead the Department of Energy and the governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo as secretary of Commerce.
