Advocates for gender equality are reckoning with what one called a "wonderful challenge" four or more women running for president in 2020.
For many activists, that means a Democratic field more reflective of a party that counts women as a crucial voting bloc. But the prospect of multiple women seeking the White House also presents obstacles, with no single female candidate holding a claim to women's votes to the degree Hillary Clinton did in 2016.
The women's vote, and groups that provide crucial financial and grassroots support, could split.
Looming over it all is persistent gender bias and the question of whether Americans are ready to elect a female president.
"We do realise there's still sexism in this country, and what we're trying to do is change minds. I think this country is more than ready for this to happen, I really do," said EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock, whose group aids the campaigns of Democratic women supporting abortion rights up and down the ballot.
"But that doesn't make it easy."
Gillibrand "strongly condemns anti-Semitism from anyone, in all forms," communications director Meredith Kelly said, but she "will not turn her back on the thousands of Iowa women who are joining this locally organised march to advocate for the issues that deeply impact them and their families."
We have to just be realistic that racism and sexism within our institutions are really deep-seated."
Dittmar also pointed to the political advantages of nominating a woman or person of colour "in terms of appealing to particular constituencies who haven't seen themselves represented in the presidency, who haven't felt like the Democratic Party is speaking to them."
"What do the men who are running for office have to offer women?"
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