---
title: "Are Americans Ready to Elect a Female President?"
description: "When evaluating Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 2008 prospects, one question remains inescapable: Are voters ready to elect a female president? On one level, the question would appear to be settled. In February, Gallup found 88% saying they would vote for a well-qualified woman for president. Contrast this with public opinion in 1969, the year Clinton graduated […]"
date: "2007-05-09"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2007/05/09/are-americans-ready-to-elect-a-female-president-2/"
categories:
  - "Election 2008"
  - "Gender"
  - "Gender & Leadership"
  - "Gender & LGBTQ"
  - "Gender & Politics"
  - "Politics & Policy"
  - "U.S. Elections & Voters"
---

# Are Americans Ready to Elect a Female President?

When evaluating Sen. Hillary Clinton's 2008 prospects, one question remains inescapable: Are voters ready to elect a female president? On one level, the question would appear to be settled. In February, Gallup found 88% saying they would vote for a well-qualified woman for president. Contrast this with public opinion in 1969, the year Clinton graduated from Wellesley College. At that time, just 53% said they would support a well-qualified female presidential candidate.

[Read full analysis at Pewresearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/2007/05/09/are-americans-ready-to-elect-a-female-president/)