I only recently realized how lucky I am to come of age during the tail end of Second Wave Feminism. Growing up, I never once doubted that I could be anything I wanted to be, regardless of my sex. That’s why, when I was a young woman, I was dumbfounded by the criticism that Hillary Clinton faced when she stated that her career was important. I could not believe that people were complaining because she dared to suggest she had more important things to do than to hold teas and bake cookies.
Now we are about to elect her President. And I’m so happy, because I don’t just want a woman President. I want THIS woman to be President. I want the woman that stood tall as she was attacked for her hair, her mannerisms, her ambition, and her goal of getting health care for Americans. I want this woman who fought on the behalf of woman and children, all the while being told that she was working to destroy the American family. I want this woman who took the bricks that were thrown at her and used them to build up herself and her agenda. I want this woman, whom the vast right wing conspiracy blamed for everything bad that happened in America. At least until we elected that socialist, communist, Muslin, terrorist, Kenyan dictator (snark).
Her election as the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States is a great victory for her. But it is not only her victory. This great achievement would not have been possible without all the hard work of the women and male allies that came before her. You can draw a straight line from the Suffragettes, to Jeannette Rankin, to Shirley Chisholm, to Geraldine Ferraro, to Hillary Clinton.
Twice, Hillary Clinton has worn white to honor the Suffragettes who were ostracized, beat, force-fed, and jailed fighting for our right to vote. I propose that we use her as an example, and that we wear white on November 8, 2016. Wear white even if you plan on voting before Election Day. Wear white to honor Hillary and all those that came before her.