In Hillary’s determination, I see my generation

By Elizabeth Levinson, Vice President’s Office Intern

I will be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a political junkie. I knew that the Democrats would come in blazing to promote our candidate, and I was looking forward to seeing the strategies they would take to oppose the platform embodied by the Republican National Convention (RNC) last week. I watched nearly every hour of the Democratic National Convention from day one. I analyzed political strategy and mused about the protests– sometimes in agreement, sometimes far from it. What I wasn’t expecting was the sheer emotional power in that arena.

When Bill painted a picture of a bold woman with “big blonde hair and huge glasses” who approached him in the Yale Law library, I saw myself. When he described her excellence and tireless optimism for her community and her country, I saw the young feminists I work with at NOW. When he recounted her refusal to be defeated, I saw my best friend. In Hillary’s determination, I see my generation.

Not to be outdone by the powerful speeches presented by former President Clinton or First Lady Michelle Obama, President Obama did what he is known to do– captivate his audience. For just a moment, politics were set to the side. I wasn’t thinking about political strategy or how the opponent might respond. I didn’t think about Trump or the oracle of doom that overtook last week’s RNC. I didn’t think about politicians or political parties or protests. I just sat there, awe-filled tears slowly rolling down my face as the first president of color wholeheartedly endorsed the first woman presidential candidate. I could practically hear glass ceilings shatter and walls crumble.

When Hillary finally took the stage Thursday night, my heart was in my throat. How do you prepare yourself to witness history of this magnitude? Her speech was poised and poignant, but I was distracted, waiting for that particular moment that changes the face of American politics, and America, for good. The one where Hillary Clinton, the first woman ever to do so, accepts the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The sheer magnitude of the event struck me at once. Watching our triumph on a cell phone screen on my back porch in D.C., I experienced a turning point in American history.

I felt soaring hope for our future and pride for how far we’ve come. But most profoundly, I felt a silent yet palpable connection with the past. This incomprehensibly dense pride swelling in my chest echoes that of my great-grandmother as she claimed her right to vote. Pride about the accomplishments of women a hundred years before me. A pride that our daughters and granddaughters after them will feel in the future. One that binds women long passed with those that haven’t yet been born. This is not just about Hillary Clinton. This is not about politics or propaganda or “the woman card.” This is about our grandmothers, our mothers, our daughters… and us. We lift her, she lifts us.

All I wrote in my journal that night was this: Tonight, I know that I have witnessed history.

And when I cast my vote for Hillary Clinton in November, I know that I will be making herstory.

11 responses to “In Hillary’s determination, I see my generation

  1. What a wonderful, well writen, and powerful endorsement for Hillary Clinton…..young people with your vision bodes well for the future of our nation.

  2. As a 50 something who has fought the fight her entire career, it gives me great comfort to know that young women like Ms. Levinson realize the sacrifices that have been made and that will need to be made in order to advance the unending desire for equality of all Americans. Thank you Ms. Levinson for your insight, your eloquence and your interest in the American political process.

  3. I must admit I got caught up in the beginning what Trump was saying until I watched the DNC and realized how wrong I had been I forgot all my passion for women’s rights I’d worked so hard for theses 63 years but I’m happy to say I’m on the right track now and Hillary has my vote come November. I can hardly wait to make that little black dot on my ballet card! Women’s rights all the way!!!!!!!!

  4. My mom is up there bursting w/ pride. Mom said that if she were still around when Hillary ran for President, she would “stuff envelopes”. I will cast my ballot this November in memory of my mom.

  5. I am proud of the opportunities that this country offers my daughters. Two of the three of them are moms who have chose to leave the full-time workforce while their children are young. Not all women want to make that choice, and not all women who want to can. But, listening to your spokespeople it sounds as if real women must make only one choice. Not all women believe the same way on many of the issues that NOW promotes.

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