Women have definitely come a long way from the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 that gave women the right to vote. Less than 100 years later, a woman has been nominated to run for President of the United States. As a young woman I am beyond thrilled to see a woman able to run for such an important role and find encouragement in her drive to do so. I am, however, not thrilled that this is the woman that will forever be known as the first woman nominated as a major political party’s presidential candidate. As she will unjustly be perceived as a representation for all women of the United States who are striving to achieve roles and careers that are often dominated by men.
To begin, as a young woman striving to achieve a career that is dominated by men, I want to make clear that Hillary Clinton is not able to serve as an example of all women everywhere. In fact, Hillary Clinton, like many of the politicians and public figures we see in our lives today, cannot serve as an example for members of the general United States public, because they have not experienced issues like those that members of the general public face each and every day.
According to Fortune Magazine, Bill and Hillary Clinton reported an income of $28 million for the year of 2014. Hillary tried to claim this week, throughout the Democratic National Convention (DNC), that she was a role model for girls as she believes she is paving the way to success. However, she is able to pave this path with a large income that the majority of individuals will never have available to them. This money brings with it opportunities upon opportunities that others will not be able to experience because of their lack of it. Hillary Clinton cannot truthfully stand on that stage and say that anyone’s daughter could be standing in her shoes elections from now, because this is not an easily attainable possibility for many individuals that do not have the family background to monetarily support such a goal. Therefore, until Hillary has felt the concerns and issues that are present among those of less of a wealth status that is below her own, she cannot truthfully serve as an example for women across the United States.
I also am forced to wonder yet again if her ability to work hard and dedicate herself is the only reason she is as far in the race for President as she currently is. Before Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States, Hillary had worked as a lawyer, and was very successful. She also worked on Democratic presidential campaigns, like Jimmy Carter’s, whose election ended in Bill Clinton being elected as Attorney General. She, however, did not hold a seat in the Senate or the position of Secretary of State until after she had completed her eight years as First Lady. There are many very competent and successful women working as lawyers and working for Presidential campaigns. These women may be even better equipped for the position of President, but may not be able to ride the coattails of a reputation or name to get to a potentially higher position.
Though many women look at Hillary Clinton and see a wonderful role model to emulate, I am forced to ask myself if I would want to have to question whether my accomplishments have occurred because of what I have prepared myself for and accomplished, or if they are due to a reputation of whom I am involved with. In other words, many may think Hillary is a tremendous role model, but I think we need to remember that she is far from perfect and she has not achieved success solely on her own. There are many other women who deserve your respect as a role model who have accomplished things without depending on their husbands to blaze a path for them, like Condoleezza Rice. For these reasons, I do not think Hillary represents women of the United States well.
