EXECUTIVE

Women in the Executive Branch

The First Lady

  • Definition and Historical Context:

    • The term "First Lady" was popularized in the mid-19th century.
    • Traditionally seen as the social hostess of the President's household.

  • Evolution of Role:

    • In recent decades, the role has expanded to include autonomous policy-influencing functions.

  • Key Figures:

    • Eleanor Roosevelt:
    • Took on a much larger public role during her husband's presidency.
    • Advocated for women's issues actively.
    • Continued her public life beyond her husband's death, contributing significantly to social justice.
    • Was key in the adoption of the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
    • Hillary Clinton:
    • Furthered the reform of the First Lady's role.
    • Established her own office within the West Wing of the White House.
    • Headed the Presidential Task Force on Healthcare Reform, highlighting a proactive approach in policy-making.

Women in the Cabinet

  • Statistics and Appointments:

    • Total of 73 women appointed to presidential cabinets by 12 presidents.
    • Breakdown of appointments:
    • Democrats: 43 women appointed.
    • Republicans: 30 women appointed.
    • Current administration (Trump) has 8 out of 24 positions occupied by women.

  • Historical Appointments by Party:

    • Visual representation of the percentage of cabinet or cabinet-level positions held by women:
    • B. Johnson: 50%
    • Nixon: 30%
    • Reagan: 20%
    • Carter: 10%
    • H.W. Bush: 0%
    • Obama: Past appointments through to Trump highlighting trends.
    • Source for data: Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University; Pew Research Center (2020).

Women in Civil Service

  • Overall Representation:

    • 43.5% of federal employees are women, compared to 46.8% in the overall labor force.

  • Pay Gap:

    • The pay gap for women in federal service is significant, particularly for older women.
    • Despite being less than the general workforce, it remains a concern.

  • Diversity Efforts:

    • Ongoing efforts for diversification and emphasis on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI).

  • Federal Employment Statistics:

    • Federal employment peaked in May 1990 at 3.4 million employees.
    • Tracking of monthly federal government employees from Jan 1939 to Nov 2024 shows trends and hiring spikes (e.g., due to temporary Census workers).
    • Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Federal Government Employment Trends

  • Proportion of Federal Jobs:
    • Less than 2% of jobs are in the federal government as of the current analysis, with trends illustrated from 1939 to 2024.
    • Monthly shares of total employment comprised by the federal government highlight fluctuations.
    • Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Age Differences in the Gender Pay Gap in the Federal Workforce

  • Income Discrepancies:

    • Women under age 40 are paid an average of $2,608 less than men annually.
    • Women aged 40 and over are paid an average of $6,927 less than men annually.

  • Demographics:

    • A greater number of federal employees are aged 40 and over compared to those under 40.
    • Gender distribution is similar across both age demographics, with approximately 47% males and about 57% females.

  • Unexplained Pay Gap:

    • A significant component of the unexplained pay gap favors men, largely attributed to differing rewards based on gender for similar attributes.

Female Governors in the United States

  • Current Representation:

    • There are 12 female governors serving currently, comprising:
    • 8 Democrats
    • 4 Republicans

  • Historical Context:

    • Women have held governorships in about two-thirds of US states, with detailed data available through October 2024.
    • Source: Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics; Pew Research Center.

Media Coverage of Women Candidates

  • Disparities in Coverage:
    • Women candidates receive historically less media attention than their male counterparts.
    • Research indicates the following:
    • More focus is placed on their appearance and personal life compared to men.
    • Women often receive more negative viability coverage.
    • Issues surrounding women politicians are frequently framed in a stereotypical manner.
    • Studies indicate that minority women, in particular, receive even more negative and less frequent media coverage than their counterparts.
    • Relevant studies: Carroll (1994), Jalalzai (2006), Wasburn and Wasburn (2011), Van der Pas and Aaldering (2020), Gershon (2012).

Women Running for President

  • Historical Overview:
    • There exists a longstanding history of women running for presidential office, often viewed as symbolic ventures.
    • Notably, the 2020 Democratic Primaries witnessed a significant increase in the number of women seeking the presidential nomination, marking a shift in political dynamics and representation.