Victoria Woodhull for President!

If you are interested in voting for Victoria Woodhull for President you are 135 years too late. She was nominated for the office of president of the United States of America in 1872 by the Equal Rights Party. Her running mate was Frederick Douglas for the role of vice-president. Mr. Douglas was born into slavery in the US and went on to become an influential force lobbying for passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. These Amendments gave citizenship and voting rights to freed slaves, but neglected to give women the same opportunity to participate in the government that ruled them. Although Woodhull-Douglas were not elected in 1872, Mr. Douglas held several government posts after he moved to Washington, DC the same year.

Victoria Woodhull is considered a radical feminist. She was the first woman to address Congress, arguing for woman's suffrage in the House of Representatives. She had a lot of strikes against her other than being a woman running for the Presidency. Ms. Woodhull and her sister, Tennessee Claflin, were spiritual healers who espoused "free love". With the help of men they established a brokerage firm and weekly newspaper. The sisters were indicted for sending obscene material through the mail which ended any hopes of "Victoria Woodhull for President". They were acquitted of the crime of using the mail to send flyers accusing clergyman Henry Ward Beecher of adultery. Evidently "free love" only applied to single males and females. Both sisters relocated to England marrying wealthy business men.

Following Ms. Woodhull's unsuccessful run for Presidency, Belva Ann Lockwood ran for the office in 1884 and 1888. She was the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court and ran under the Equal Rights Party ticket. She set a record by receiving 4,149 votes from an all-male electorate. It was not until 1964 when Senator Margarat Chase Smith entered the Republican Primary that another woman put in a bid for Presidency. Three Congresswomen entered the Democratic race for President in 1972: Shirley Chisholm, Patsy Mink and Bella Abzug. The only stronger female candidate in the bid for presidency since Shirley Chisholm's remarkable success in gaining votes was in 2000 when Senator Barbara Dole entered the race.

The United States were formed to create a "more perfect union". Often looked upon as a world leader, they are losing the race as countries around the world elect female presidents. As far back as 1944 there have been female Heads of State or Presidents in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Chile, Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, Haiti, Liberia and Austria. A woman may relate to the needs and concerns of citizens living in a predominately misogynist society. She may be more tenderhearted and understanding in her attitude towards children. As commander-in-chief in the USA, the President is in charge of the nations armed forces. How does being female affect her ability to think rationally regarding wars and murders?

As the 2008 Presidential race heats up there is much excitement and speculation about the possibility of the USA electing it's first female president. Equally exciting is the possibility of a man, whose mixed heritage makes him a descendent of slaves, being nominated to run for President. Society has changed much since the days of "Virginia Woodhull for President" with a former slave as running mate. The political climate in the USA makes the 2008 Presidential election a grand opportunity for positive, progressive change in leadership of the country. May the best man or woman win. I cast my vote for the one who truly plans to serve everyday people, rather than cater to wealthy corporations. I have an idea who that person might be, do you?

Author unknown, Microsoft ® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007, "Victoria Woodhull"
Author unkown, Microsoft ® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007, "Frederick Douglass"
Citation credit: Encarta © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Author Unkown, Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership, "Chronological List of Female Presidents"
Various Authors, American Women Presidents, "After 135 Years, It's Time To Elect A Women President"