After the recent elections, I started thinking about the women in my life that have inspired me. It's so easy to feel like your voice doesn't matter. Yes, I cried for a few hours after election night, and while it feels like we're taking 1,000 steps backward, I'm trying to focus on the people who helped push me to get where I am now. Ladies, these are the people to focus on in the midst of the results, the ones who supported and encouraged you to be vocal and have confidence in yourself.

I am inspired by the female teachers throughout middle school, high school, and college, who had to deal with sexism every day yet carried themselves so gracefully. I am inspired that you teach topics that no one else will talk about.

I am inspired to see more women of minority groups elected into congress. For too long congress has seemed to be ruled by white men. Even though Hillary was not elected Tuesday night, there are examples during that night of women being elected into high places, showing us there are small steps still being made. The first Asian American Senator from Hawaii was elected on November 8th, along with the first female Thai American senator from Illinois, the first Latina female senator from Nevada, the second African American female senator from California, and the first female refugee state representative in Minnesota. I am so inspired by these women, even though the glass ceiling wasn't shattered last Tuesday, it's the little steps of progress that add up and give me hope.

I am inspired by the female pastors I know who are working in a male dominated profession. You are the ones who have been keeping me afloat the past week. Many of the churches I have visited are always dominated by males. Many leadership spots I've ever seen occupied by women are for youth and children's leadership roles.

I am inspired by my mom, who supports me in whatever career and major I'm choosing. Someone who taught me my voice matters and someone who worked her ass off to be where she is today, and provide me the opportunity to seek higher education.

Thank you, Hillary Clinton, for proving that women can run for president and hold high power roles in the government. I have fear, but I also have hope. I am hopeful that the outcome of the election will bring all the "nasty" women together to ultimately shatter the glass ceiling. Hillary didn't win, but it was enough to empower women to their full potential and come together to finish breaking the cracks in the glass.