On Thursday, July 28, 2016, history was made as Hillary Clinton proudly declared her acceptance as the Democratic nominee for the presidential election this coming November. Balloons rained down from the ceiling in a seemingly endless supply as Hillary stood on stage with her husband Bill and running mate Tim Kaine, as well as her daughter Chelsea and Kaine’s wife. Clinton’s nomination is a turning point in the American political scene, as it marks the first time a woman has ever been nominated by a major party in 227 years, both an incredible achievement and an embarrassing tragedy. However, while it is important to acknowledge the significance of this historic moment in women’s rights, it is now time for the Democratic party to look beyond the fact that Clinton is a female and to place the focus on the reality that she is an incredibly qualified nominee, regardless of her gender, who will hopefully do a fantastic job leading the country beginning in January of 2017. Also, by continually pointing out Clinton’s gender, Democrats are, in a way, diminishing her credibility as a nominee. When we talk about Clinton, we shouldn’t say, “She’s the best female presidential nominee.” We should, instead, say, “She’s the best presidential nominee. Period. Plain and simple.” And she truly is a phenomenal choice to lead our country.

Hillary’s political involvement began at an early age – when she was only 15 years old, she took an interest in politics as she went door-to-door, campaigning for presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. Following high school, she enrolled at Wellesley College, majoring in political science and psychology and made history for the first time when she was asked to be the first student to serve as speaker at her class’s commencement ceremony. Following college, she enrolled at Yale Law School, where she became interested in the rights of children and migrant workers. In 1973, she graduated Yale with honors and went to work with the Children’s Defense Fund and also served as an advisor to the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives during the Watergate scandal. Following Nixon’s resignation, Clinton was hired as a criminal law professor at the University of Arkansas and also married her boyfriend, future president Bill Clinton, whom she had first met while studying at Yale. Clinton then went on to another first when she was hired as the first female associate and future partner at Rose Law Firm. She continued her advocacy for children’s rights when she co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. At the same time, she supported Bill through his election as governor of Arkansas and the couple also started a family of their own when their daughter, Chelsea, was born in 1980. Clinton demonstrated her incredible dedication to both her work and family as she seemed to effortlessly raise her child and support Bill through his five terms as governor and eventual campaign for president in 1992. She also gained personal fame through her increasingly successful career as one of the most powerful lawyers in America, chairing the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee and serving on boards at large local hospitals and companies. Following her husband’s election as President, Hillary was named the head of the Task Force on National Health Reform. As First Lady, she proved her commitment to extending affordable healthcare to all Americans, an extension of her lifelong interest in human rights’ abuses. When Bill’s second term as President ended in 2000, Hillary herself ran a successful campaign for the U.S. Senate and was the first woman from New York to be elected senator. She won again in 2006. With the 2008 Presidential election fast approaching, Hillary set her sights once again on making history, declaring her interest in being the first female president. Although she eventually conceded the nomination to Barack Obama, her passion and desire to better the country never wavered. Recognizing her incredible knowledge and ability, Obama nominated her for Secretary of State, a position which she happily accepted, demonstrating once again her commitment to public service.

During her term, Clinton chose to focus a lot of her time on both women’s and human rights, traveling around the globe to over 100 countries. She fought to end sex trafficking, violence against women, and to give women and girls an equal opportunity in business and education. She also demonstrated her belief that all people are equal by promoting LGBT rights. In 2014, she took on yet another important role as she joyfully welcomed her first grandchild into the world. Finally, last year, in 2015, Hillary showed just how determined she is to make a change in our world when she announced her campaign for president in 2016. Although the path that ultimately led to this week’s historic nomination has been difficult, darkened by the shadow of Hillary’s email scandal, she has remained strong against the controversy, openly admitting her mistakes and accepting full responsibility for her unfortunate actions. It is time to move forward.

Therefore, when looking at Hillary Clinton’s list of lifelong accomplishments and achievements, it is clear that she is not the best female candidate that the Democratic Party could have chosen, but rather the best candidate. She will be a president who stands in defense of the rights of all people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. As President Obama said in his speech at the Democratic National Convention, “…Even in the midst of crisis, she listens to people, and she keeps her cool, and she treats everybody with respect. And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits. That is the Hillary I know. That's the Hillary I've come to admire. And that's why I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman—not me, not Bill, nobody—more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States of America.” Hill Yes!