As women started voting, they also began to run for office. Today, more women are vying for public service spots than ever before. “Now women are actually the majority of voters,” says KC Becker, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. “You can advocate and advocate, but if politicians aren’t reflective of you and you can’t cast a vote, then you really have limited power.”

55: Percentage of voters the Pew Research Center estimates were women in the 2016 presidential election (women make up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population)

44: Percentage of women in Colorado’s state Legislature (the national average is 29.2 percent)

0: Female U.S. presidents, U.S. vice presidents, Colorado senators, Colorado governors, and Denver mayors

Jessica LaRusso
Jessica LaRusso
Jessica LaRusso is 5280's deputy editor.
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and the former Articles Editor for 5280.
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia joined the 5280 staff in July 2019 and is thrilled to oversee all of the magazine’s dining coverage. Follow her food reporting adventures on Instagram @whatispattyeating.