Regardless of political views, all Americans can agree that Hillary Clinton’s presidential nomination was historical. For the first time in the 240 years that America has been a country, a woman was nominated to hold the most important government position. Although this should have happened years ago, it is still a monumental achievement for the feminist movement. This is the closest a woman has ever been to the presidency, and if elected, Hillary will represent generations of feminists who have found long, hard battles for equality.
Throughout my childhood, I was constantly told that I could be the first female president of the United States. I didn't entirely understand why there wasn't a female president yet, but I vividly remember listening to adults discussing politics with mainly male figures. I couldn't understand the political topics and just assumed that was how the government worked. I guess it made sense because all the presidents I’d heard of were men. But at some point I reached a turning point; I would end that streak and I would be the first female president. I felt empowered by the pure thought of being able to set a precedent for other little girls. If my grandma believed that I could be the first woman president, maybe other people would too. I could make a difference in our nation.
It’s been over ten years since that realization and I’ve grown out of that fantasy. Even though I still hope to make a difference in the world, I no longer strive to be the president of the United States. However, now I understand how significant a female president would be. Women populate roughly half of the world, and the United States, so it is about time that we fill the same roles that men have for centuries. Having a woman as our president could open a whole new world of opportunities to other women in the country. Already, young girls and women are being inspired by Hillary Clinton’s nomination. This will continue to grow if Hillary is elected as president.
I consider myself gifted to be growing up during such a historical time. Throughout my lifetime, women have been subjected to the gender wage gap at work, although they are working many similar jobs to men. I witnessed women thrive in their fields, becoming CEOs and presidents of companies. I am optimistic that in my lifetime, I will see female presidents, equal pay for equal work, and even more strong female professionals. I hope to be among these women, working hard to make our society accept women as equals in all fields of work.
Hillary’s presidential nomination is a huge step in the direction of equality for men and women. Young girls will hear about “the woman running for president” and think that they too can be the president. These girls will not grow up afraid of what people will think if they are successful; they will feel equal to their male counterparts. There will be no glass ceiling standing in the way of their dreams; the sky will be the limit for these girls. With Hillary Clinton’s nomination, the glass ceiling has its biggest crack yet. Now it is only a matter of time before we shatter the glass ceiling, and gender inequality, for good.
