By Kathy Groob, founder ElectWomen – It happened again last week–another country that is considered less progressive for women than The United States, elected its first woman president. Congratulations women of Taiwan; you just took a huge step forward in terms of equality for women.

Americans have a chance this year to elect a high qualified woman president. We have a contender. The big question is will women get behind Hillary Clinton and do the work necessary to finally break the glass ceiling for all of us? Will businesswomen in American, who have felt the impact of discrimination, unequal pay and overall male shenanigans step up to support one of their own for president?

For women who have been in the business world for as long as I have or longer, 35+ years, whom to support in this election should be an easy decision. Studies and commonsense shows that when women succeed as leaders, they make the environment better for women when equal numbers of women hold power positions.

It makes sense that if a woman were to be elected to the highest level of the executive branch, it will have a positive impact on women climbing the ladder.  And it is possible that a woman president, just as women CEOs have demonstrated, will often do a better job.  Our problem in America’s corporations, boardrooms, hospitals, film studios and media outlets is that women are often overlooked and continue to be absent from top leadership positions.  Women in the workplace continue to be undervalued and excluded from many of the networking circles necessary to achieve power.

2008 might have shown the world that Americans are ready to elect a woman president, but I am not sure the voters are convinced a woman can be the best leader. That is what elections are all about. Electing the best candidate for the office.  Where the real problem lies for women in The United States, is that there are not enough women on the bench, ready to lead and step up as Commander In Chief.

Low numbers of women governors and members of Congress, have stifled opportunities for women to run for president.  It takes a great deal of political prowess and fundraising capability to run at the presidential level; the best candidates come through the ranks polishing their skills along the way.

So if not Hillary Clinton in 2016, then whom?  Are there qualified women  ready to run in 2020? How many women will be qualified in terms of domestic and foreign policy and who have the name recognition and fundraising skills to mount a credible campaign?

Actress Joan Allen ascended to the role of Vice President in the movie The Contender in 2000.  Sixteen years later, and we still do not have a woman vice president or president.  It’s time for businesswomen to step out of their busy worlds and engage in the political process to elect a woman president. Use your smarts, networks and pocketbooks to make it happen in 2016–elect a woman president of The United States.  It is within our grasp.

“A woman will serve in the highest level of the Executive. Simple as that!” – President Jackson Evans, The Contender, 2000.