The Green Party’s Natalie Bennett, Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood and Sturgeon not only performed admirably, but also were, bar David Cameron, the only leaders not to resign their positions following the results.
With 56 new MPs in Westminster, Sturgeon is now one of the most influential women in British politics.
But they also took far more flack than they should for their personal appearances in the tabloid press.
The Scottish First Minister in particular faced deplorably sexist treatment by the media during her campaign trail, and was routinely scrutinised for her aesthetics.
“What annoys me and worries me most, I’m used to reading pretty derogatory things about my hair and my make-up and so on,” she continued. “What worries me is if young women see me [getting this flack] the papers and it puts them off going into politics.”