Many women all over the country have high hopes and dreams of finally seeing a president like themselves – a woman president. For the first time since 2016, the face of the country had a chance to be that of someone besides a man. 

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, it felt like that chance was a genuine possibility, sitting right at the fingertips of voters who scribbled in the Democratic party on their ballots. The itching chance of America finally hiring a female president was right around the corner. However, for this term, the chance has once again expired.

It all felt too familiar. It felt just like 2016. 

Although a share of differences subsided in the 2024 and 2016 elections, the similarities felt eerily kindred, as hopeful Americans are forced to witness the defeats of female candidates. 

Both candidates were extremely qualified government officials, who had racked up quite impressive resumes, both candidates having worked for the country as senators, as well as lawyers. 

Alongside being a senator from 2001-2009, and secretary of state from 2009-2013, Clinton was also the first candidate to run for president in 2016, after previously being first lady to her husband Bill Clinton (1993-2001). Notably, Clinton was also the first woman to be at the top of a ballot for a major party.

Similarly so, Harris had previously served many different government positions. From district attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011) to attorney general of California (2011-2017), to then vice president under President Joe Biden from 2021-2025, Harris climbed her way to be recognized as the highest-ranking female official in the U.S. 

An extremely notable similarity between the two candidates that especially stood out to a handful of people, myself included, was the way in which they were referred to. Throughout my lifetime, there have been, less often than not, circumstances in which I have heard presidential candidates referred to by their first names. However, never in my life have I heard people only refer to Donald Trump as “Donald,” and Barack Obama as “Barack.”

So why is it that generally the media and people refer to Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris as “Hillary” and “Kamala?”

This minor difference is not as unimportant as it may seem. This detail takes away the seriousness and acknowledgement of their positions as presidential candidates, as we refer to children by their first names, and adults by their surnames with the inclusion of Mr./Ms./Mrs.

When the 2016 and 2024 elections were finalized, it did not feel as though simply Clinton or Harris lost, it felt like women lost. 

The biggest similarity between the elections of 2016 and 2024 was a major flaw shared by Harris and Clinton. One flaw that they were cursedly born with. A flaw that unfortunately allowed for voters to underlyingly disregard their impressive resumes, hopes, and plans for the country. This flaw seems to be the recurring reason as to why these candidates could not be president– they were simply women.