History Is Made

I have tears in my eyes as I write this. Not because anything terrible has happened, but because a woman was nominated for President of the United States. Before you stop reading, please understand. This post is not about politics and certainly not about one particular political party. I’m not actually a fan of this particular woman.

However, I’m caught up in the history of the moment.

Because for the first time ever, a woman from a major political party has been nominated for the highest position in our country.

I wish it were a different woman. I wish she wasn’t the first, because there are women I admire more and who I think are far more deserving of the honor. But she has won the nomination, and as the mother of girls, I am proud.

I am proud that my girls have tangible proof, rather than my biased “mother-words,” that they can be anything they want to be.

I am even proud that my girls don’t recognize the historic moment they currently are living in—so many amazing other women have paved the way and made that possible.

It is shameful that it took as long as it has, that other countries have figured out what it took us so long to learn—but better late than never. We have a long way to go and there is much to do. But tonight, we are one step closer and our dreams are a little more concrete.

We are at our best when we support each other, raise each other up, and celebrate each other’s victories. Hillary Clinton has many who have helped her get here and many still whom she herself will enable in the future. But our future is brighter today because she has helped us reach this milestone. Like others before her, she has pushed the boundaries and with every step, let the light in.

"For what is done or learned by one class of women becomes, by virtue of their common womanhood, the property of all women."
—Elizabeth Blackwell