The Femininomenon at the 2024 Texas TribFest
The Texas Tribune Office Building in Austin, Texas.
This past weekend, Austin, Texas held their annual Texas Tribune Festival, also known as TribFest, a three-day event that brings Texans closer to politics, policy, and current news. From governors and congresswomen, to economic experts and vice presidents, this year’s TribFest highlighted the rise of women in leadership and their role in politics around the world. The presence of women like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and discussions on Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexico City’s first female President Claudia Sheinbaum, reinforced the theme of female empowerment in governance. The festival not only provided a platform for these trailblazing women, but also exemplified the broader movement toward female empowerment in politics—a movement that has been hard-fought for decades.
Gretchen Whitmer, often dubbed the “woman who stood up to Trump,” opened the festival this past thursday evening with a one on one discussion about being a woman governor, facing outrageous abortion laws, and standing up to bullies, even when those bullies happen to be the president of the United States. At TribFest, Whitmer’s presence underscored the importance of female leadership and resilience. Her steadfastness during uncertain times—whether dealing with a global pandemic, a kidnapping plot against her, or continuous political opposition—has positioned her as a role model for aspiring female politicians. Whitmer’s influence extends beyond Michigan. She is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party and a potential future presidential candidate. Keep an eye out for her name in your 2028 ballot.
Saturday held the busiest schedule of the three-day festival, with incredible speakers such as Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, along with interesting panels on Kamala Harris and president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum.
Secretary Yellen at a FOMC press conference, 2015.
As the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and former Chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen’s presence at TribFest added a crucial dimension to discussions about the global economy. Yellen has been a trailblazer in the world of finance, guiding the country through multiple economic crises. Her leadership during the Biden administration has focused on stabilizing the post-pandemic economy, addressing inflation, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability in a global climate filled with war and uncertainty.
At the festival, Yellen discussed the intersection of economic policy and gender, advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion, as well as her role in reducing rising inflation costs and the war in Ukraine. Standing as a 78 year old 5’3 woman, Yellen has become one of the most influential economists in the world. Her panel provided insights into how women can rise up in the world of public policy and economics to achieve the trifecta of Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the central bank of the United States, and Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Two other significant panels focused on trailblazing women who are opening the doors for women to run for presidential office here, and in Mexico: Kamala Harris and Claudia Sheinbaum. As the first female, Black, and South Asian Vice President of the United States, Harris has shattered multiple glass ceilings throughout her career, first as a prosecutor, then as a senator, and now as Vice President. The panel focused on the powerful movement that her campaign for presidency has become and how she has truly shone during her time in this global stage, energizing young voters, women, and people of color. Harris, one of the only candidates to not only not allow Donald Trump to get under her skin, but to unease and get under Trump’s skin, has had success in these recent pollings and her strategy: being her unapologetic self, a lesson we could all learn from.
Sheinbaum, having already won the title of President, now holds the power to create lasting change in Mexico, but will she step up to the plate? At TribFest, discussions about Sheinbaum’s potential presidency revolved around the growing trend of women taking on national leadership roles in Latin America, addressing femicide in Mexico, and the legacy of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Obrador has managed to build the Morena party and advocate for working farmers, the elderly, and the poor. Will Sheinbaun continue with his plan for governance to establish a strong morena party in Mexico, or lead with her own style of governance? Her candidacy represents a potential new wave of feminist leadership in the region, challenging patriarchal norms and pushing for more inclusive, equitable governance.
Nancy Pelosi at climate change rally, 2021.
Finally, one of my favorite speakers at the 2024 TribFest was former speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi. Few women in American politics have wielded as much power for as long as Nancy Pelosi. As the first woman to ever serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pelosi has been at the forefront of political battles for decades. From her instrumental role in passing the Affordable Care Act to leading two impeachments of former President Donald Trump, or as she called him, “what’s his face”, Pelosi's tenure is marked by bold decision-making and an unwavering commitment to progressive causes. At the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, Pelosi reflected on her legacy, but more importantly, on the future. When she first began in the U.S. House of Representatives, there were 13 women serving as U.S. representatives, now there are 94, and it will only go up from here. She emphasized the need for more women to step into leadership roles, particularly in a political landscape still largely dominated by men. Pelosi’s career stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the necessity of breaking through glass ceilings in Washington. Pelosi said, “Diversity is our strength, and unity is our power”. As women, we must use our gender as a powerful tool, not something to be ashamed of, and unite in order to advocate for policies that support all of us. Her decades of experience have not only paved the way for women in politics but have shown that women can—and should—lead the most consequential debates in the country.
The 2024 Texas Tribune Festival wasn’t just about the accomplishments of individual women; it reflected a broader movement towards gender equality in politics. Across the globe, women are breaking barriers in leadership roles, whether in government, business, or civil society. The festival’s lineup of speakers illustrated the diverse ways in which women are shaping policy, challenging the status quo, and advocating for systemic change. Women like Whitmer, Pelosi, Yellen, Harris, and Sheinbaum serve as powerful examples of how female leadership can transform institutions. However, their journeys also remind us of the work that still needs to be done. Women remain underrepresented in many spheres of power, and they often face disproportionate scrutiny compared to their male counterparts. As more women ascend to positions of power, it’s clear that their contributions are not just necessary but transformative. The world needs more female voices at the table, and the 2024 TribFest was a powerful reminder that the "femininomenon" is not only happening; it's here to stay.
