your Challenge is, with a POD anytime after the Nineteenth Amendment, to find the earliest time a woman could win the White House.
I agree with David and Scourge. I could definetly see Elanore Roosevelt running for President.
I think another possibility might be Jackie Kennedy.
I seriously doubt Eleanor Roosevelt could get elected on the top of the ticket. Considering that women did not even get appointed to cabinet till the late 70's onwards (excepting Frances Perkins), i believe that the social barriers to a woman in power were too strong up until that point.
I don't agree with that. Under ordinary circumstances, yes, there is no way that Eleanor Roosevelt gets anywhere near the Democratic nomination, but consider this. Many of the reforms that FDR enacted under the New Deal came about through the efforts of Eleanor Roosevelt. She was also one of the leading members of the American delegation to the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly and was deeply involved in drafting the UN Charter of Human Rights. She had extensive hands-on experience with both domestic policy and international power politics. On top of that, she was the wife of the president who had brought the United States out of the Depression, won World War II and was a legend in his own time. Even if she had run against Eisenhower, I think she would have won.
As long as the POD isn't simply Eleanor deciding to run it's definitely doable. If the Republicans gain the White House in '48 or '52 with someone really controversial, someone who is going to create battles for Eleanor to fight (which will raise her profile and popularity) she could rise to the challenge. Maybe Taft or Macarthur could manage this?
Eleanor spectacularly winning a drawn-out battle of wits in front of an alt-HUAC should do it.
As i mentioned previously Roosevelt was 68 in 1952, which is even viewed now as old for a candidate.
Also, I think you're underestimating the way women and their capabilities were viewed in the 40's & 50's. Roosevelt was an amazingly strong force for progressive forces, however that does not necessarily translate to the ballot box.
The first woman to be elected governor of a state (in her own right, i.e. not as an adjunct to her husband) didn't happen until 1975. I think Eleanor Roosevelt (or any woman) being elected President (let alone nominated) for any election before 1976 would be very hard to manage.
If Eleanor Roosevelt gets elected, who would be the First Lady?
I'd say Eleanor Roosevelt .My history prof was telling the class how she was more popular amongst the people than her own husband.
What if Nixon had named a woman to replace Agnew in December 1973? I can not recall names of prominent women in congress; but then again, many Americans never heard of Gerald Ford until Nixon named him. And on August 9, 1974, the female VP becomes president.