Americans have a tendency to conceptualize national achievements as progress for the whole world. But this narrative obscures how behind the rest of the world America can be with regard to social issues.

When former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the 2016 Democratic Party nomination, she redefined the parameters for the American woman’s potential role in society. Secretary Clinton shattered the political glass ceiling, setting a new precedent for the place of women in U.S. politics. She, along with others, for decades, strove for decades to ensure our policies and policymakers are reflective of our society (which, if you’re wondering, they’re still not). She reminded us that our abilities, potential, and power are not tied to our biological sex, even if our tradition of electing male presidents has suggested otherwise. Emboldened by Secretary Clinton’s platform, millions across the world have marched for equal rights for women. As the United States eyes its next presidential race, four women have announced their candidacies. Despite not clinching the presidency, the former Secretary of State’s rise is a paragon of progress for America. 

But one outstripped by the rest of the world. 

While the former Secretary’s rise as a female leader was noteworthy—as is the prominence of so many female presidential candidates—we should remember that other countries have seen this rise before. Many times before. In other words, America's achievements are not the world’s achievements. 

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