A Turning Tide

A record-breaking 500 women are currently running for major office in the US, but activists have greeted the so-called ‘year of the woman’ cautiously in a country that lags behind in representation internationally, saying much more needs to be done. Siobhán Brett reports

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a fundraiser in Los Angeles last week: the 28-year-old is poised to become the youngest ever woman elected to the US Congress Pic; PA

‘Or, should I say: congresswoman! Let’s get that much out of the way right now,” bellowed the jubilant head of the postal workers’ union. “Congresswoman!” cried a community activist. “I like the way that sounds.”

“Congresswoman?” said the executive director of a union representing non-profit social service, home care and childcare employees. “God bless you and thank you.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hair resting behind her shoulders, looked up from the notes she was furiously ...