Whatever your opinion on Hillary Clinton’s politics or character, there’s one thing that you have to admit. Her nomination is huge for women and the daughters that we’re raising.
It’s one thing to teach our daughters that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up. My girls don’t question this as truth. They fully believe in their potential and that they can do anything a boy can do—although I do discourage peeing while standing because ain’t nobody got time for that mess.
But it’s a completely different thing to be able to sit down and point to a specific moment in time when a woman was nominated for president by a major party.
It’s huge. It makes telling our girls they can be anything a fact instead of a hope or a dream. There is verifiable evidence that, if they want to, they can lead the most powerful country in the world. That’s a really, really big deal.
I’ve read comments from people who dislike Hillary saying that they didn’t need her to know that a woman can be president. They’ve known it all along. The thing is, that’s not actually true. They’ve believed it all along. Just like I have. They’ve felt with every fiber in their being that women are just as smart and capable as men. But the fact that a woman could be elected wasn’t proven until a woman was actually nominated.
Some people may roll their eyes and accuse me of digging deep into semantics. I don’t really care. A woman will be standing on stage debating topics that are usually left to old white guys. She has a 50-50 chance of becoming the next president when less than 100 years ago she wouldn’t have been allowed to vote. That is so powerful for young girls to see. The more often they’re exposed to women in positions of power in fields typically thought of as belonging to men, the more they will believe they can get in there and do their thing too.
Before I stop rambling, I want to make one thing clear. I’m in no way telling you who to vote for. I would never tell anyone to vote for someone just because she has a vagina. That’s insulting to women everywhere (although so is Donald Trump) and insulting to the struggle it took to get to a point where a woman is even considered a choice in a presidential election.
Vote with your conscience. Just know that whether you like her or not, Hillary Clinton’s nomination is a major step for women.
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Hi! I'm Jen, a freelance writer and girl mom who loves reading the newest children’s books as much as I love a good psychological thriller. I believe fiercely in the power of kindness, empathy, and really good quality chocolate. When I'm not knee-deep in glittery crafts and girl talk, you can probably find me sprawled out on my couch in the middle of a Netflix marathon with dark chocolate smeared on my face. The struggle is real. 
She isn’t the first woman. Period.
Also – I don’t want my daughters (or anyone) idolizing someone who has gotten where she’s gotten by lying, cheating, and stepping on rules, laws and people to get there.
She’s the first woman nominated by a major party and the first woman whose name is commonly known.
I am the first person who will tell you I don’t think she’s an ideal candidate. I didn’t write this post to idolize her or to try and convince anyone of her virtues. I didn’t write it to tell anyone who to vote for or to tell anyone what they should think about her. Your feelings and opinions about her are completely valid.
I wrote this post because I’m glad that we are finally at a point where a woman is such a major part of the conversation and that girls everywhere can see that.
Which would serve a purpose IF she stood for “women’s rights” but she doesn’t. If anything in her past showed that she would help women. I just don’t think this of all things is a big deal. She’s corrupt and I’d never encourage my children to look up to this as a big moment. It’s a disgrace that someone with her history can make it to be a nominee.
Just my opinion – and I worry that teaching girls that this is “huge” leads them to believe that her tactics are acceptable. They aren’t.
As an FYI – I don’t support Trump either.
Women will vote for this woman simply because she’s a woman and posts like that (intended or not) encourage that.
I totally respect your opinion, but we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Thank you for voicing your thoughts like a reasonable human though. There are way too many people out there right now spewing hate and fire without listening to what the other person is trying to say. We’re all allowed to have our own opinions. I hate when it devolves into name calling and other ridiculousness.
And just so you know, if it came down to Hillary vs. Bernie, I would have voted for Bernie. Voting for someone just because they’re a woman is a terrible idea that I would never encourage. Whether I like her or not, I want my girls to see more women where she’s standing right now.
I think she would be good for giving us a good future for our children.