United States of America

This year has brought with it a wave of women interested in running for office, particularly among Democrats. And though Republicans have seen less of a wave, Congress has gained one GOP woman already this year: Georgia's Karen Handel. 

The history of women in American politics is just as long as that of the nation as a whole.

Seattle last elected a woman as chief executive in 1926. Bertha Knight Landes was the first woman to lead a major U.S. city, occupying the mayor’s office for two years after having served as president of the City Council.

A recent study found that women legislators in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly — though small in number — are more effective at passing legislation than their male counterparts.

Women make up just 20% of seats in Congress, 24% of state elective executive offices, and 25% of state legislatures seats across the U.S., according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics. She Should Run wants to change that.