Former classmates and professors recalled Usha Vance, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Marilyn Quayle as stronger law students than their future husbands. Political scientists cited sexism and a gender gap in ambition as barriers to women seeking office.
At Yale, a former professor said Usha Vance was “50 billion times better” than JD Vance in a moot-court exercise, and a classmate called her a “rock star.” Hillary Clinton’s classmates recalled her as a frequent, usually correct participant, while Bill Clinton missed most classes. A Harvard professor said Michelle Obama was the stronger student; Marilyn Quayle’s classmates nicknamed her “superwoman” for balancing family responsibilities and law school.
Political scientists said academic strengths do not necessarily translate into campaigning and pointed to sexism, men’s dominance in elected office and a gender gap in political ambition. Hillary Clinton ran for president multiple times; Michelle Obama has publicly said she is not interested in office, while Marilyn Quayle and Usha Vance have not indicated interest in running. Women hold about 28 percent of seats in the current Congress.
