In Congress, they are only 9 percent of the Senate and a mere 12 percent of the House. But that doesn't fully explain the problem. When it comes to leadership positions, women are completely shut out of the top posts in both chambers. That's not progress. Incumbents have all the advantages and few sensible people can be convinced to quit their jobs to take on these powerful incumbents.
Most incumbents are, of course, men.
With term limits in effect for state legislatures, both Maine and Oregon have elected their first woman speaker. Women are also gaining other leadership positions. But our national legislature, the Congress, has been monopolized by incumbents. Monopolies in the private sector, that denied women a fair chance, wouldn't be tolerated. Women have come a long way, but with term limits they can go even further.