I Think It's About Time We Saw a Mom Leading the White House – Here's Why

Moms are effective at leading and bringing about meaningful change. From Tammy Duckworth, the first United States Senator to give birth while in office, to Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister and the first female world leader to bring a baby to the UN Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, we have seen the benefits of having moms in positions of power. Senator Duckworth, a wounded Purple Heart veteran, introduced the unanimously passed US Senate rule to allow lawmakers to bring babies 12 months and under onto the chamber floor. Ardern took decisive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and as such, nearly eliminated the virus in New Zealand. The general public sees the value in having moms lead, as well. According to a 2018 study, Americans believe moms are calmer in crisis, more diplomatic, and better team players than working fathers or employees without children.

There is no question that moms know how to multitask. In households where both parents work, moms tend to do more when it comes to managing the children’s schedules and activities, as well as be more likely to take care of the children when they are sick. Working moms are also more likely than working fathers to do laundry, clean, shop for groceries, prepare meals, and furnish and decorate the home. Working mothers have also been rated better at multitasking and at time management.

Being a leader in the White House is no easy feat, but a mom can handle it. Motherhood brings a variety of experiences, ranging from postpartum depression, hormonal changes, isolation, stress, work-life balance obstacles, and so on. Moms are resilient, and others know that to be true. In fact, 91 percent of working Americans believe moms can offer unique skills as leaders, and 85 percent believe motherhood helps a woman prepare for challenges she would encounter as a leader.