United States of America

Over the last several years, debates between Republicans and Democrats have increasingly involved extremely divergent attitudes toward women.

William T. Sedgwick believed that no good could come of letting women vote.

“It would mean a degeneration and a degradation of human fiber which would turn back the hands of time a thousand years,” Sedgwick said in 1914. “Hence it will probably never come, for mankind will not lightly abandon at the call of a few fanatics the hard-earned achievements of the ages.”

In february 13, 1920, Carrie Chapman Catt stood triumphant before the opening session of the National Woman Suffrage Association convention and declared the organization’s decades-long mission finally accomplished. “Women be glad today. Let your voices ring out the gladness in your hearts,” the 61-year-old suffragist said.

“The opportunities for the next president are enormous. We can show worldwide leadership.”

— Senator Elizabeth Warren, on whether it’s possible for the next president to help stop climate change.

This week’s Democratic debates were historic: They mark the first time ever that more than one woman candidate was onstage at a US presidential debate.