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Many have wondered for years whether the United States of America is ready for a female president. 

What do you think? Is it long overdue to have a female American president? 

Do we view women as less presidentiable than men? Or do we have a higher standard for a female American presidential candidate or nominee than her male counterpart? If equality and gender are not issues for public office, especially the highest position of the land, then why have we not had a female American president so far? 

If we say we’re not yet ready, when is the right time? We haven’t found the right female American to lead us, you say? We’ve had female American candidates/nominees who’ve aspired or sought nomination to become U.S. president. (To name a few, we have had Victoria Woodhull, Velva Ann Lockwood, Margaret Chase Smith, Charlene Mitchell, Lenora Fulani, Shirley Chisolm, Patsy Mink, Cynthia McKinney, Jill Stein, Michele Bachmann, Carly Fiorina, Jo Jergensen, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Nikki Haley, and now Kamala Harris.) 

Is there something missing from these candidates? More money, leadership experience, knowledge and education, and experiences about laws (Constitution, international, national, local), economics, foreign policies, international relations, and geopolitics? (Unless we always prefer male than female U.S. presidents, there’s no point asking the question, right?)

The United States of America’s mother country, the United Kingdom or Great Britain, had well-known Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II and the first British woman Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher (nicknamed “the Iron Lady”). Mexico, our neighboring country to the south, has just elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.

According to the United Nations, there were 28 countries where women served as heads of state and/or government. 

There were female Americans who became U.S. secretary of state, U.S. ambassadors or diplomats,  astronauts, scientists, directors, and CEOs.  

We have American women who have excelled in their respective professions, including the military and have proven themselves exemplary or outstanding leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces. They serve as role models for young women to be future military leaders who will defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Two of the last three presidential elections featured a woman on the ballot, which suggests the time might be right.

Your vote is your voice. Let your voice be heard by casting your vote on Nov. 5.

Chris A. Quilpa,  a retired U.S. Navy veteran,  lives in Suffolk and Chesapeake. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.