In 1984, The Weather Vane asked students, “Is the U.S. ready for a woman vice president?” referring to Geraldine Ferraro, the vice presidential candidate on Walter Mondale’s ticket. Ferraro was the first woman to make it to a major party’s presidential ticket. Today, Kamala Harris is the vice presidential candidate on Joe Biden’s ticket. We asked current students the same question.
Ashley Mellinger (first-year): Ready for a female vice president? I don’t think so. Do we need a female vice president? Absolutely. But unfortunately… I just don’t think that people would respond well. I think that there’d just be mayhem, because “Oh no, a woman’s in office.” That’s all… It sucks, but it’s true.
Essance Wolfe (sophomore): I believe that we need one. I don’t think people would respond well, but people haven’t really responded well to Trump, so I think we should do it. I don’t think we should stop at vice president, either. I think that we’re ready for a woman to be president, and not just be elected because she’s a woman, or because of her party, but because of what she has to offer for our country.
Trey Brookman (sophomore): There would be too many people trying to sabotage, or like not vote because she’s a woman, but I feel like it would be beneficial because men [have] been doing [this] for a long time and we ain’t been doing too well, so I mean, we might as well give it a shot, like either way, president, vice president, but I feel like there’d be a lot of controversy.
Nathan Alemu (first-year): I believe America is ready for a woman vice president ‘cause there are a lot of ladies that are really qualified and that can do the job [better] than most men that are there like Trump, and I believe that the US is ready and I would be happy if we have one, soon.
Lizzy Kirkton (first-year): I think that if you were asking the question four years ago right after Obama was out of office, people would not be ready because they already really reached out there for having a Black president, but now after what’s happened in the past four years with Trump, I think that people are willing to go a little further and they’re willing to make way for a woman president, especially with how gender has been treated by the current presidency.
Sophie Kirkton (first-year): Yes … I still feel like it’s kind of like the token woman, like, “yeah I’m a man running for president, but at least I’m giving a woman a little bit of power.”
David Chun (senior): I don’t think making decisions on leadership is specifically tied under gender. It’s more of the ability and capability of an individual, how well they get along with politics and decision making. I hope that if there’s a chance that the vice president becomes a female, I just hope that she will promote more work to increase the woman rights and overall to support more women involvement in every industry. … As I observe and experience the system of the US, system-wise they should be ready. But to be honest I don’t think the people are ready. I realize not all people are ready to handle the reality that a woman could be involved.
Hannah Thomas (sophomore): Yes. It’s past time.
Alexus Murray (first-year): I think the US is ready for a woman vice president.
Rubi Long (first-year): I do think they’re ready for a female vice president.
Christian Knight (sophomore): Yes, they are, as long as it’s the right person for the job.
Aween Mohammed (first-year): Women have definitely been ready for a long time…it’s just that gender differentiation has been going on for a long time and it’s now time to stop it, ‘cause we’re ready. Women are ready. Just make the best one the vice president, and it will be fine.
