Both locally and nationally, a recent visible trend in political activity has been the emergence of Generation Z women across the country, reshaping political identity and fighting for change. As they navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing social landscape, many are distancing themselves from traditional labels such as “Democrat” or “liberal.” Rather, they are doubling down on leftist cuckoo ideas that further separate them from the lived realities that should be shaping their values. This trend is brought to life by people such as Emily Gardiner, Lily, and Rebecca J. In short, they are the real deal politically … this new vanguard of political thought.
Emily Gardiner is just turning 23 years of age. She would have been just 15 and a high school student when Donald Trump came to office in 2016. Raised in a socially conservative but politically progressive home by politically active parents, Gardiner’s formative years were filled with very intense political conversations. Today, she works as a library assistant in eastern Connecticut. In the meantime, she’s hard at work on the second draft of her adult fantasy novel. Her upbringing and experiences have shaped her political views, which she describes as “a socialist, but more of a social democrat.”
“My community puts a lot of value in sovereignty,” Gardiner explains, reflecting on how her Indigenous background influences her perspective. She knows that the current political landscape has largely abandoned many diverse communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA, and other marginalized communities.
Just south of Gardiner in North Carolina, 24-year-old Lily has found a home in legal services. She expressed dismay over what she called a “huge, ugly gender divide in politics.” Similarly to Gardiner, this helps her to focus on issues that matter to her generation. “Definitely healthcare, women’s healthcare specifically, the situation in Gaza, and anything economic affecting our work,” she states. Lily expresses concern about a common attitude among voters, noting that “unfortunately, I think people often only care about issues that affect them.”
Rebecca J is yet another ambassador of this movement. At 26 years old, she comes from Washington D.C., where she previously worked in tech sector before moving into the delivery industry. She mesmerizes on the larger discontent with conventional political structures commonplace among her peers. “Liberal” is used to describe the Democrats and I’m much further left to the point that I don’t want to be considered under the same umbrella. I mean… at the end of the day, liberalism is a capitalist ideology, and I’m an anti-capitalist,” Rebecca insists.
The increasing leftist identification among Gen Z women is pretty astounding. Moreover, they are in the process of becoming the most left-wing generation in modern U.S. history. Recent national polling shows just 26% of Gen Z women support President Trump’s performance in office. Their growing defiance of traditional political party lines could be a sure sign that a political realignment is already underway.
The issues that Gen Z women chose to prioritize reveal a powerful generation’s unique perspective on the world. Reproductive rights, economic inequality, and healthcare access rank as their highest priorities. Next to that, they are profoundly concerned about external matters, specifically what is going on in Gaza. This demographic’s prioritization of these issues speaks to a desire for systemic change over simple party loyalty.
“Both parties are in the pockets of billionaires,” she argues, suggesting that neither major party adequately represents the interests of everyday Americans.
As they navigate their early adulthood amidst a polarized political climate, young women like Emily Gardiner, Lily, and Rebecca J are not only rethinking their political identities but shaping future discourse around social justice and equity. Their dedication to social democracy and leftist ideals can unlock new doors to political engagement. Through their work, they support policies that promote inclusivity and equity, and they are fighting to transform our society.