In the wake of the election, everyone’s Facebook feeds have been inundated with articles, posts, and drama all concerning Trump versus Hillary, and what Trump’s impending presidency will mean for our nation. There has been a general air of mourning around campus since Wednesday, with no signs of completely lifting soon. As I scrolled through Facebook the morning after the election, the only thing I saw that didn’t incite rage or despair of some kind was an article by Yasmin Khalfe about women in positions of power and leadership. This article, although written before the election, was a source of inspiration and comfort amid the fear, uncertainty, and disappointment millions are currently experiencing. So, in an effort to move on and move forward, I want to focus on what Hillary’s campaign still means, and what women in leadership are doing for girls and other women, as well as the American population as a whole. Without denying the problems that have already come as a result of the election, it’s more important now than possibly ever before that we, as women and as allies, lift other women up, and encourage one another to reach our fullest potentials to help ourselves and those around us.

In her article, Yasmin outlines four ways women can lift each other up, especially now that we as a nation have reached a tipping point when it comes to female leadership and equality. I’ve compiled some quotes from powerful women through the ages, relating to each of these topics, in the hopes that they’ll be a source of both comfort and inspiration.

Overcome Imposter Syndrome:

“I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” – Amelia Earhart

“Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, “She doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Women don’t have what it takes.” – Clare Boothe Luce

“Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses.” – Madame Marie du Deffand

Be a Mentor:

“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.” – Hillary Clinton

“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” – Mae Jemison

Speak Up:

“A feminist is a person who believes in the power of women just as much as they believe in the power of anyone else. It’s equality, it’s fairness, and I think it’s a great thing to be a part of.” – Zendaya

“We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever.” – Susan B. Anthony

Encourage Each Other:

“I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind learning.” – Amy Poehler

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton

Lying in bed reading Yasmin’s article first thing in the morning after the election, having found it buried among my Facebook newsfeed full of posts bemoaning the future of our country, made me unexpectedly, sharply emotional. It got me thinking about what it really means that Hillary, a woman in leadership her entire career, ran for office and won the popular vote. It got me thinking about all the women in my life, from women as close to me as my mother, to the girl I see working at CoffeeHouse all the time and wave to when we pass each other on campus. And I’m tired of being angry and disappointed with the way things have been and are now; I’m ready to channel that negativity into being the best person, the best woman, I can be, and enabling others to do the same.

Change happens slowly. If all the girls who are shocked and outraged by this election’s outcomes work hard, speak loud, and listen closely, that’s when progress and change will be made. Yes, it involves women older than us and women who came generations before us, but we shouldn’t underestimate our own power and influence. This is the perfect storm; we have the potential to completely normalize women in leadership and in power. To make it just as commonplace for a woman to be seen picking her 2.5 kids up from soccer practice after school as it is to see her running a Fortune 500 company. To see just as many women creating work at top levels in the arts, and for female athletes to be recognized at lauded at the same level as male. Whatever the area of gender inequality, we have the potential and opportunity to make it history.

So let’s do it. All it takes is doing our very best, and encouraging and allowing those around us to do and be the same. Let’s please just love and respect one another, and recognize that when one of us succeeds, we’re all succeeding.

Hillary Clinton was not the perfect candidate. But she set a historical precedent, in that she was not only the first woman to run for president, but also in that she won the popular vote. And even though she didn’t win the presidency, all those millions of votes mean something. So thank you, HRC, for paving the way. The next time a woman runs for the highest office in our country, she’ll have it a little bit easier, because of you. To all the other women who were voted into an office this past week, congratulations, and thanks to you, too. Let’s celebrate this past week as a victory, even if it wasn’t the victory we wanted. It can get better from here.