Ep 3. Madam President

America's Hidden Stories season 2 episode 3 is titled "Madam President." This episode dives into the long history of women in the United States who have attempted to run for president, even though the first woman to run for president did not do so until 1872.

This episode takes us through the rich history of women who have run for president, although, in most cases, their stories were not well-known or recognized. We hear about Victoria Woodhull, who was the first woman to run for president in 1872, sixty years before women were even granted the right to vote. Despite her bravery, Woodhull faced immense backlash from the public that labeled her as immoral and placed her in jail just days before the election.

The episode then moves on to Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, who were an instrumental part of the suffrage movement and went on to form the National Women's Party. In 1916, they staged a massive protest outside of the White House that caused them to be arrested, which led to widescale protests and more arrests. These protests ultimately helped the passage of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote.

Focusing on the modern era, the episode also covers Shirley Chisholm, who became the first African American woman to run for president in 1972. Chisholm, who was a former congresswoman from New York, ran a traditional grassroots campaign that generated significant interest.

The episode concludes with covering the most recent bids for presidency by women, from Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, who became the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket, to Hillary Clinton's historic 2016 run.

Overall, this episode of America's Hidden Stories showcases the unknown and often forgotten stories of women who fought for political power in America. Their struggles and successes are engagingly documented with skillful storytelling. The episode highlights pertinent women’s issues, such as the obstacles met by female candidates regarding perception and trust from the voting public. The show raises awareness by addressing the significant contributions women have made to America’s ongoing political fight, impacting the rights and freedom of all citizens.