Final answer:
The characteristics of being female and an independent in the U.S. Senate are not mutually exclusive, as no rule prevents these conditions from coexisting. While no female independents were present in the Senate as of the data from 2017, the increasing diversity and feminist movements contribute to the likelihood of their future presence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the United States Senate, the events "being female" and "being an independent" are not mutually exclusive. Mutual exclusivity implies that the two characteristics cannot occur together. However, there is no rule or law that prevents someone from being both a female and an independent in the Senate. Although the data provided for January 3, 2017, shows that there were no female independents in the Senate at that time, this does not mean it's impossible for a senator to be both female and an independent.
The increasing diversity in the U.S. Congress, with more women and people of color being represented, reflects broader societal changes. Movements like feminism have been instrumental in fighting misogyny and working towards more equal representation. Over time, as seen in the increased number of female senators from 13 percent in 2008 to 27 percent by 2021, it becomes more likely that a female independent could be elected to the Senate.