Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Women are rapidly taking over the world of politics, holding more elected positions than ever before. With the increase of women in politics, we begin to question how gender stereotypes and bias affect female politicians. There are numerous studies examining the public's perception of female candidates and how they are framed differently from their male opponents in the media; however, the main objective of this project is to learn how gender affects women’s campaign strategies or public personas, and how this differs from their male counterparts. Through interviews with women in locally elected positions, this study examines these issues through the lens of female politicians themselves, rather than from the eyes of voters. The results indicate that gender plays a significant role in the careers of female politicians, influencing various aspects of their careers. The interviewees agree that women in politics face obstacles that their male colleagues do not and often encounter unique situations with their constituents due to their gender. Regardless, both interviewees agree that being a good leader is their focus, despite the struggles they face due to their gender. The research conducted in this study opens doors for further study, especially at the federal level, and raises awareness of the experiences of female politicians.
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Women's Studies
Publication Date
Winter 12-29-2025
Language
English
Faculty Mentor of Honors Project
Bai Linh Hoang
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Pruitt, Jordan V., "The Feminine Way of Campaigning: How Female Politicians Navigate Gender Bias" (2025). 2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects. 13.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_fall2025/13