It appears our long national nightmare is coming to an end. But, I feel much more than mere relief.
I feel pride in our country. A pride delayed by four long years.
At long last, a woman has won election to one of the two leadership positions of the Executive Branch.
Many of us remember when an SNL cast member hosting an event honoring seven women leaders, including Chelsea Clinton, quipped:
“And they all have one thing in common, none of their moms are president.” To which Chelsea Clinton famously replied: “We may be able to say in this room today that no one’s mother is currently president. But someday, someone’s will be.”
We are one big step closer. A major glass ceiling is being broken by Kamala Harris as I type this.
When Hillary lost, I did not think my Mother, now 80, who was unable to work in her chosen profession as a newspaper reporter in the early 1960s because news organizations would not allow spouses to both work at the same employer (and my dad was already employed as a reporter by the local paper), would live to see a woman elected VP or President.
That thought saddened me. I remember reading her first issue of Ms. Magazine that touted “Wonder Woman for President”. I re-read the origin of Wonder Woman published in it so often I destroyed that issue. Only later would I learn that 1972 cover was a riff on this 1943 issue of Wonder Woman Comics below.
Yes, having a “Wonder Woman” President is a dream deferred. But at least my Mom, a lifelong activist for women’s rights, will live to see a woman Vice-President. And in four more years, who knows, maybe the dream will finally be achieved.