Photo: house.gov
Women in the Senate
Since the 2012 election, 20 female senatorsare now hold office. A groundbreaking statistic considering only 44 woman have ever served in the United States Senate. In the past, most of the women who held office did so as short-term appointees who simply finished up their late husband’s terms.
The presence of women can only prove beneficial for political progress. According to a recent article in the American Journal of Political Science that indicates that women are more effective politicians than their male counterparts. The study found that, over the course of 30 years, minority party woman were more successful than minority party men at keeping sponsored bills alive.




![ In January of 2013, the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in combat roles. This was a huge step toward gender equality in the military, as it removed the glass ceiling that would prevent female soldiers from attaining the same career potential as men in the same position. While not all women [or men] will meet the physically demanding criterion necessary to fill these roles, they will no longer be prevented from trying.In reference to the this, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated, "Not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier. But everyone is entitled to a chance." In January of 2013, the Pentagon lifted its ban on women in combat roles. This was a huge step toward gender equality in the military, as it removed the glass ceiling that would prevent female soldiers from attaining the same career potential as men in the same position. While not all women [or men] will meet the physically demanding criterion necessary to fill these roles, they will no longer be prevented from trying.In reference to the this, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated, "Not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier. But everyone is entitled to a chance."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/57/8d/578d7456e1f42c2a0aa9ec845b2800d1.jpg?itok=7eVXyaG_)




