I'll admit that when it came to casting my vote in the primary, I was all about Bernie Sanders and feeling the Bern. But once Hillary Clinton clinched the nomination as the Democratic candidate for the presidency, I began to pay attention to her.
While I was aware that her post-First Lady career has been spent in public service, both as senator for one of the country's most populous states and as Secretary of State for our nation, I did not realize how much she succeeded during those roles.
Once I slowly learned more about Hillary and her career, it was easy to become excited about her campaign. And despite the election results, I'm still proud of Hillary's campaign and to have voted for her.
1. It's about time a female clinches a major political party's nomination for president.
The fact that Hillary Clinton is a female is far from the only or even the primary reason that I cast my vote for her, but it's about time we had that decision. Seeing articles about women born before the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 cast their vote for a female was remarkable. So many brave and incredible women, such as Susan B. Anthony, fight for women's rights and equality to get us to this point.
2. "When they go low, you go high."
Despite personal attacks through the debates and the election cycle, Hillary stuck by the "When they go low, you go high" mantra she promoted during the second presidential debate. She carried herself with class rather than creating an exchange of personal attacks.
3. Hillary's near capture of the most powerful and influential job in the world hs inspired millions of young women to follow their dreams despite expected gender roles.
The most enduring line from her 2008 concession speech: "Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time. Thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time."
4. Hillary has always challenged assumptions about women.
During Bill's service as governor of Arkansas, Hillary received a lot of heat for choosing to continue working, as well as her decision to remain with Bill despite his infidelity. Though Hillary never condemned those who chose differently, she set the perfect example that it's okay to not conform to those assumptions and expectations.
5. Hillary's never been afraid to poke a little fun at something, even at her own expense.
In a 1995 interview with Newsweek, Hillary unveiled her sense of humor through a sarcastic comment of how easily she could distract the media: "If I want to knock a story off the front page I just change my hairstyle."
6. Long before Hillary's political success, she fought for what she believed in.
As the commencement speaker at Wellesley, 21-year-old Hillary spoke about social justice and women’s rights. Being one of only 27 women in her graduating class at Yale Law School, Clinton went to work for the Children’s Defense Fund, rather than taking a high-paid job at a corporate law firm.
7. Not only was Hillary New York's first female U.S. senator, she greatly served America's largest city following the attacks of Sept. 11.
She was relentless in fighting for financial support to rebuild New York City, and she fought to gain healthcare and compensation for first responders and others who suffered long-lasting health problems in the aftermath of those attacks.
8. After losing to Barack Obama in the 2008 primary, Hillary not only conceded to Obama's nomination, but went on to accept the position of his Secretary of State.
In the president's top appointment, Hillary brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and worked to rebuild America’s power on the global stage.
9. While not always deft, Hillary Clinton was one of the most powerful First Ladies in U.S. history.
Perhaps most well known was her work with both Democrats and Republicans to establish the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health insurance to millions of children from low-income families.
10. Hillary taught us how to have thick skin, particularly as a female in the public world.
Clinton delivered this piece of advice in her 2003 memoir Living History.
