Women and Politics

This post was submitted by WCF Fellow, Stephanie Glover

Congratulations, New Hampshire! The Granite State was honored by the U.S. House of Representatives for becoming the first state in the country to have a majority of women in their state senate. Out of their 24 senators, 13 are women.

According to statistics by the National Conference of State Legislators, New Hampshire’s high level of female participation is definitely noteworthy. Nationwide, the numbers are low:

Only 1,788 women serve in state legislatures

Women hold only 24.2% of seats in state legislatures

The ratio of women in state legislatures has only increased by 4% in the last 15 years

Looking at overall representation in state legislatures, Colorado ranks #1 with 39% women. New Hampshire
(again at the top) is a close second with 37%. I am shocked to learn that not a single state has achieved gender parity in their legislature. South Carolina ranks at the very bottom with only 10% women in their legislature and no women in their state senate. This is simply unacceptable.

New Hampshire is blazing the trial, but we have to help move these numbers closer to 50% by asking more women to run for office. Who do you know that should run? Remind them that we need more women at all levels of government, including in our state legislatures.

Let’s give New Hampshire some company at the top.

Tags: New Hampshire, politics, state legislatures