Why Hasn’t the U.S. Had a Woman President Yet? A Cultural and Leadership Perspective

The US, the world's beacon of equality, still hasn’t seen a woman in highest office. While, in India, the idea of women in leadership is hardly new.

As we close the 2024 US elections, it’s an interesting time to reflect to examine why the United States has yet to elect a woman president. This isn’t just a political question—it’s a leadership one. This is part of my debrief on the US 2024 elections from a leadership standpoint. You can watch my videos on the debrief here. Despite the US’s significant investment in promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality, and its vocal criticism of other countries for not doing the same, it has yet to see a woman in the highest office. This raises an important question: Why hasn’t the United States been able to elect a woman president yet, especially when so many countries across the world have had women in top leadership roles?

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To explore this, let’s first look at the history of women in leadership positions globally. The US did take a significant step in January 2021 when Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the first female vice president of the United States. I clearly remember her emotional moment with Joe Biden, where she said, "We did it!" It was a monumental achievement for the United States—its first female vice president. But, as much as this was a historic milestone, it’s important to note that it wasn’t the highest office in the land. The US, the world's supposed beacon of democracy and equality, still hasn’t seen a woman lead the country from the highest office. Meanwhile, in the subcontinent, the idea of women in leadership is hardly new.

Women in Power Since Eternity in the Indian Sub-Continent & South Asia

India, for example, had its first female prime minister, Indira Gandhi, who served from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. India then had its first female president, Pratibha Patil, who served a five-year term. As of 2024, India is led by its second female president, Droupadi Murmu. These are just a few examples of the many women who have held high-ranking positions in Indian politics. India also boasts powerful women in key ministries, including Sushma Swaraj, the former Ministry of External Affairs, and Nirmala Sitharaman, the current Finance Minister.

Not only in India, but further south, Sri Lanka made history in the 1960s by electing the world’s first female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike. She served three terms, and her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, later became the first female president of Sri Lanka, serving for nearly 11 years. Sri Lanka, which isn’t even a large nation, had a female leader long before many other nations, including the United States.

To the east of India lies Bangladesh, which has had two female prime ministers: Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. From 1991 to 2024, Bangladesh has been nurtured by female energy in its leadership, with Sheikh Hasina serving as the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history, a remarkable 15 years in total. On the other side, Pakistan too has had its first female prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, who served two terms in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, despite her tragic assassination during her later campaign.

When we look at the history of women in power across the globe, particularly in South Asia, the contrast is striking. Women have held top positions in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan for decades. Meanwhile, the US, often regarded as a leader of the free world, only had its first female vice president in 2021—and this is still not the highest office.

India’s Cultural Reverence for Women: The Divine Goddess

What makes the subcontinent so different in terms of women in leadership? A key factor lies in the cultural and religious context. In India, for example, the Hindu religion has long revered female deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; Durga, the goddess of power and protection; and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and education. These powerful female figures have been a part of Indian culture for centuries, making it easier for the society to accept women in leadership roles. In fact, in many cases, women in leadership positions are seen as natural extensions of these divine mother figures.

The reverence for women in Indian culture is also reflected in its history. Women such as Rani Lakshmi Bai, who fought against the British in the 1857 rebellion, and the warrior queen Ahalya Bai Holkar, who ruled Malwa in the 18th century, are celebrated figures. Rani Lakshmi Bai’s bravery is legendary, and she is remembered not only for her role in the revolt but also for her powerful leadership, even in the face of tremendous adversity.

The history of powerful women leaders in India is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, women in the subcontinent have been in positions of power for thousands of years. The acceptance of women in leadership roles in India is deeply rooted in the culture and is considered completely natural. This cultural and historical foundation has contributed to the prominence of female leaders in the region because women are seen as mothers as the first gurus who lead the family.

The U.S. Investment in DEI: Progress with Unintended Consequences

When we look at the broader South Asian context, it’s clear that the region has long understood the value of women in leadership roles. And yet, this is something that remains a challenge for the United States. Despite its supposed progress, why is it that the US has been unable to produce a woman president, even as other countries have shown that female leadership is not only possible but successful?

What does it say about the United States’ approach to leadership and inclusivity that, while other countries have embraced female leadership, the US still struggles to elect a woman to its highest office?

The United States has made significant strides in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, championing equal rights for women and minorities. However, despite these efforts, the country still struggles to elect a woman as president. This can be attributed to a couple of key societal shifts:

a) Equality Has Made Women Get Disconnected From Their Feminine Nurturing Side

In the pursuit of gender equality, much emphasis has been placed on making women and men equal in every way. While equality in opportunity is critical, this shift has sometimes led to the loss of the unique, nurturing qualities women bring to leadership. The idea of women being seen as naturally nurturing and protective figures—like mothers—is fading. Instead, the narrative often positions women as merely "equal" to men, neglecting the inherent feminine strength that’s seen in cultures like India’s.

b) Objectification of Women

The U.S. also faces a cultural dilemma where women are increasingly objectified rather than revered. Western media often portrays women in ways that emphasize physical attraction over leadership potential, reducing their value to their appearance rather than their capabilities. This objectification makes it difficult for society to imagine women in roles of power, as they are not seen as symbols of divine strength and nurturing.

Moreover, women themselves, influenced by this culture, may internalize these portrayals, sometimes showing up in leadership roles as objects rather than as powerful, multifaceted individuals. This further reinforces the cycle where women’s leadership potential is undervalued.

Sofia Vergara's Story: Objectification of Women Disconnects Them From Their Feminine Power

Sofia Vergara’s journey highlights a reality that many women face today. She became a mother at a young age, raising her son as a single mother. Despite the challenges, she found success in Hollywood as an actress and model, showing resilience and strength. Yet, beyond her fame, Sofia stays grounded, maintaining her authenticity and staying close to her family.

A particularly telling moment came when her son, aware of her glamorous Hollywood image, asked her to dress like a "mom" for a parent-teacher conference. This simple request speaks volumes. Despite her success, her son wanted her to be seen not as a star, but as a loving, nurturing mother.

This story speaks to a much larger issue that many women are grappling with today. While equality has opened doors for women to pursue careers and achieve success, it has also shifted cultural expectations. Women are no longer seen primarily as nurturers and protectors within the family. Instead, they are left to fend for themselves, without the protection that once came from their husbands.

As women strive to juggle work, motherhood, and personal life, the traditional role of being a nurturer is often undervalued. Instead, they are objectified, reduced to their appearance or physicality, rather than being recognized for their nurturing, powerful energy. The cultural shift has led to a situation where women, once seen as the heart of the family, are now expected to fulfill multiple roles on their own — and without the same level of support, protection, or respect from their husbands.

Sofia’s experience is just one example of this larger societal change. As a successful woman in the public eye, she still faces the pressure of being objectified, with her worth often measured by her beauty and glamour. But beneath the surface, she is balancing the weight of being a mother and a role model, while carrying the emotional and physical load of single motherhood. This pressure, and the lack of protection from a husband or a supportive partner, is a reality many women face today.

This loss of protection has left many women feeling disconnected from their feminine power and identity, trying to do it all without the same safety net.

Culture of Honoring and Protecting Women is Crucial for a Strong Society

It's important to preserve femininity and the idea of motherhood. This way, women are not objectified or exploited. Today, many women, especially single mothers, are caught in the middle—they're not fully embracing their feminine psychology, nor are they fully adopting male traits. This can leave them feeling powerless because they are disconnected from their true selves and their roots.

What women really need is not empowerment from others; they simply need to reconnect with who they truly are. Women are Shakti, the embodiment of energy, and the key is helping them tap back into their innate power. This is done by reconnecting with their feminine strength.

Lastly, when we talk about feminine power, motherliness, and nurturing, it’s crucial to understand how disconnected many women have become from their nurturing side. I’ve said this multiple times, and I want to emphasize it again with more impact: women have become completely disconnected from their role as mothers, nurturers, and leaders. They want to be CEOs, and do all of these things, but they are no longer embodying the core of who they are—the women who bring people together and lead with strength and compassion.

Are DEI policies propping up incompetent women? Kamala and Hillary lost because they lacked strong policies

Now, when we look at the 2024 & earlier U.S. elections and ask why Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris lost, is it because women are not allowed to rise to the top? Or is it because the world is dominated by men? I came across an article in the New York Times suggesting that it's a "man's world" and that's why these women lost. But was their loss really because of this? I don’t think so.

The real questions we need to ask are: How strong were they on policy? How authentic were they? How well did they demonstrate leadership and executive presence? How effectively did they project themselves for a role that would require them to be the CEO of America, guiding the country through difficult times and showing people hope? Could they help bring America back to its greatness? These are the factors that truly matter in leadership, not whether it’s a "man's world."

Were they able to project true leadership? No. I just did a video comparing the executive presence of Trump with that of Kamala Harris and highlighted five ways Trump earned voter confidence, whereas she didn’t. So let’s not make it about the fact that they lost because they’re women, and let’s not hide their incompetencies under that. They lost because they didn’t project themselves as true leaders of America. People couldn’t trust them. Yes, part of the reason people didn’t trust them was because of their policies, but another part of the reason was because of who they are.

Are they the nurturing mother who is also a leader, or are they somewhere in between? They weren't connected to their feminine power, and they couldn’t fully embrace being men either. Who were they? When you don’t know who you are, you become powerless. That’s what happened here.

Also, how well did these women serve other women? These are the questions we need to consider when thinking about why the United States hasn’t yet elected a woman to a high position of power. It’s not just because of the objectification of women or because of diversity and inclusion practices that prop up incompetent women. It’s because those women don’t have depth, and then the blame gets shifted to men. Instead, we need to create women of depth by helping them reconnect with their true essence as women, promoting that, and encouraging men to see women as they truly are—women, not objects. Women need to stop projecting themselves as objects and reconnect with their feminine power, reclaiming it.

Abortion, War, and Kamala's Lack of Feminine Leadership

Look at how disconnected this is: Kamala Harris’s major campaign was based on killing babies, far removed from motherhood and the role of the nurturer. Yes, it was about abortion rights, but on one level, her campaign was based on death—abortion—and warmongering.

I was listening to a Polish MP who appeared on Patrick Bet-David's live stream during the election results. He introduced an amazing concept that I’ve been thinking about ever since. How can a leader, whose campaign is based on death, abortion, and war, ever truly lead? Where is the nurturing aspect in a leader responsible for the well-being of the population? Kamala Harris did a terrible job of addressing the real concerns of the people, and her campaign was based on death.

Now, imagine a woman who is a nurturer, someone who can lead through her feminine spirit. A woman who stays in touch with her femininity, who nurtures, leads, and is connected to her true self—such a woman can lead effectively. But instead, she disconnected herself from that role and embraced the idea of “let’s kill the babies” even at 24 weeks. Just looking at those images is heart-rending. She supported killing babies, and then she supported more war. She completely disconnected from her femininity and her role as a nurturer.

Instead, we saw a leader gaslighting the public—denying inflation, denying problems, saying it’s okay for boys to enter girls’ locker rooms, etc. There was no leadership, no addressing the real issues. Where was the mother? What kind of leader is this, who looks feminine but is so detached from her feminine nature? She cannot fully embrace being masculine either, and as a result, she becomes a total mess.

And this is why America has yet to elect a female president. I hope that as we raise more awareness and understand these issues, as we work toward reconnecting with our true roots and values—across all cultures—it will bring peace, harmony, and more women in leadership roles. Every woman is already a leader in her family, nurturing and guiding, and of course, she should be able to take on leadership roles, as we’ve seen in the subcontinent, where that culture is still deeply ingrained.

I look forward to sharing more with you as I continue to record videos on these topics. One of the videos focuses on Donald Trump’s massive comeback story, his great hero’s journey, and the leadership lessons we can learn from him. Whether you like him or not, his story is fantastic, and there are incredible lessons on self-leadership, rising above challenges, and getting the country re-activated. He painted the country red and got the Republicans energized again—an inspiring leadership lesson for all of us.

Invitation to join the LeadWithEASE Academy

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Personal – Reconnect with who you truly are, retell your story, and develop strong self-leadership and self-partnership.
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Cultivating Leadership with Balance

The key takeaway from these contrasting cultural perspectives is that true leadership, especially female leadership, comes from embracing both strength and nurturing qualities. Women are not powerful because they are "equal" to men, but because they bring unique qualities to leadership that need to be recognized and celebrated.

In countries like India, where women are seen as sacred and revered, female leaders naturally emerge, grounded in both their cultural values and leadership capabilities. For the U.S. to fully appreciate female leadership, we must reframe how we view women—not just as "equal" but as powerful beings who bring unique strengths to the table.

To lead authentically and effectively, it is crucial for both men and women to embrace their full potential—balancing strength with nurturing.

Join the LeadWithEASE Academy to develop the skills, mindset, and balance needed to grow as an impactful leader.

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Categories: : Leadership