New York, July 22: Kamala Harris is hoping to become the first woman President of the United States of America (USA) after Joe Biden withdrew his nomination and endorsed her. Harris has already broken barriers and could now shatter several more. Harris is the first woman, Black person, or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president. If she becomes the Democratic nominee and defeats Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US Presidential Election 2024, which is set for November, she would be the first woman to serve as president.

Vice President Kamala Harris wasted no time launching her 2024 presidential campaign following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, citing concerns over his age and health. Harris, 59, who is Black and Asian-American, aims to secure the Democratic nomination with Biden's backing, potentially making history as the first woman president in the United States' 248-year history. However, she's not the first who came this close to becoming the first woman to head the US government. We at LatestLY bring you the list of women leaders who came close or ran for the US Presidency. Joe Biden Endorses Kamala Harris As Democratic Party's Presidential Nominee After Dropping Out of US Presidential Race.

Women Leaders Who Came Close or Ran for US Presidency

Victoria Claflin Woodhull (1872)

Victoria Woodhull made history as the first woman to run for U.S. President, representing the Equal Rights Party. Born in Homer, Ohio, on September 23, 1838, Woodhull was a spiritualist, women’s rights advocate, and the first woman to own a Wall Street investment firm. She ran against Ulysses S Grant (R) and Horace Greeley (D). Woodhull passed away in 1927.

Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood (1884, 1888)

Belva Lockwood ran for President under the Equal Rights Party banner in 1884 and 1888. In 1884, her opponents were Grover Cleveland (D) and James G Blaine (R). In 1888, despite Cleveland winning the popular vote, Benjamin Harrison (R) won the presidency through the electoral college. Lockwood, born in Royalton, New York, in 1830, was educated at Genessee College and National University. Joe Biden Out, Kamala Harris In: Time Magazine’s Cover After US President Withdraws From 2024 US Presidential Election Goes Viral.

Margaret Chase Smith (1964)

Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to have her name placed in the nomination for President by a major party. She received votes in several Republican primaries and garnered twenty-seven first-ballot votes at the Republican National Convention.

Shirley Anita Chisholm (1972)

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to seek a major party nomination for president. She campaigned nationwide and was on the ballot in twelve primaries, receiving 151.95 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1924, Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn College and Columbia University.

Ellen McCormack (1976, 1980)

In 1976, Ellen McCormack ran for the Democratic presidential nomination as an anti-abortion candidate, winning 22 convention votes. She was the first woman to qualify for federal campaign matching funds and Secret Service protection. In 1980, she ran again as the Right to Life Party candidate, securing over 30,000 votes from three states.

Michele Bachmann (2012)

Michele Bachmann sought the Republican nomination for president in 2012. She won the Ames straw poll in August 2011 but withdrew after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses. Bachmann served in the US House from 2007-2015 and was a founder of the Tea Party Caucus.

Jill Stein (2008, 2016)

Jill Stein was the Green Party nominee for US President in 2012 and 2016. She qualified for federal matching funds in both elections, receiving 0.36% of the vote in 2012 and 1.1% in 2016.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (2008, 2016)

Hillary Clinton, a Wellesley College and Yale Law School graduate, served as U.S. Senator from New York and US Secretary of State. She was the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, becoming the first woman to be a major party’s nominee. Despite winning the popular vote, Clinton lost the Electoral College to Donald Trump.

If nominated, Harris would challenge Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has chosen JD Vance (39) as his vice presidential running mate. Shortly after Biden's announcement, Trump told CNN that "Harris will be easier to beat than Joe Biden would have been."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2024 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).