There are many reasons why I’m a Hillary supporter. I’ve always admired Hillary. When she was the First Lady of the United States, I was thrilled to see a strong feminist, an independent woman in the role of the FLOTUS. Finally, a FLOTUS that I admired and respected (with the exception of Eleanor Roosevelt). I had taken to feminism like a fish to water. My sensibility had been nourished by the ripples of the second wave feminism. My respect for those hardy, strong and beautiful women who stepped up and broke those barriers is second to none.
Hillary was and is that woman. You know her. She is the one woman that has managed to climb high up in the ranks – much more qualified, competent, and experienced than any of her peers – and receiving of less acclaim and credit. They bore the brunt of the backlash when they fought their way out of Stepford.
Those women revitalized the movement and brought it to the stage today where it has continued to grow and evolve beyond its’ roots. Even today, they are still grinding away at a thankless job, still taking fire from all comers, even from young feminists today (while some of it is very much deserved, granted). I have evolved into a third wave and intersectional feminist, but I owe those women a great debt. I know those women and I will always honor them.
However, the minute she stepped in the spotlight, she was under attack.
"Hillary Clinton is exceedingly polarizing," said Roger Stone, a Republican consultant. "It's not that she's an accomplished modern woman. It's just that she's grating, abrasive and boastful. There's a certain familiar order of things, and the notion of a coequal couple in the White House is a little offensive to men and women."
Right from the beginning, she had to battle time-worn stereotypes of women in power — as a scold, a hall monitor, a dangerously ambitious and assertive woman speaking in the ear of her man, the over structured super-mom, unleashing negative reactions.
Everywhere Mrs. Clinton went last week the high-powered litigator who brought home more than five times the salary her husband did last year tried to reassure doubters that she is not Lady Macbeth in a black preppy headband.
Nevertheless, as a young feminist, I was still surprised and dismayed when the backlash was severe. The media and the press sought to destroy her and diminish all the hard work she did. I believe it truly began to ramp up when they asked for her cookie recipe. She responded sharply. I cheered her on. It was 1992. Why were they asking her for a cookie recipe?!
HILLARY CLINTON: I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession which I entered before my husband was in public life.
I believe that she was just as surprised as I was at the backlash. In 1992, the world had seemed to be at a tipping point — with the rise of the working woman. This was not to be so. The American populace wasn’t ready.
July 30, 1992
Here is a woman who has done more for America's families (through participation in the Children's Defense Fund) than most politicians. Yet she's been described alternately as the Evita Peron, Lady Macbeth and Winnie Mandela of American politics.
Then came the great makeover - Hillary the Dragon Litigator to Hillary the Happy Housewife.
The backlash was severe. Damage control had to be done.
She entered a bake-off with Barbara Bush that Family Circle magazine was inspired to sponsor shortly after Mrs. Clinton's remark about not wanting to "stay home and bake cookies".. The contest pits Mrs. Clinton's version, made with oatmeal and shortening, against Mrs. Bush's, made without oatmeal but with butter. (Hillary won).
Still, she did not sway from her values. She had come to White House as a feminist, and although she had to go underground, she stayed true to her life’s path. Hillary earned my respect in 1992, and she has not lost it ever since. My respect has only increased through the years. She has stumbled and fell, said some questionable things, made some questionable decisions, but that has only made her even more human to me. She has always gotten up and went back to work. Every time.
In 2008, she sought out the nomination for the Democratic party. While I was not as impressed by her run then, I was awestruck by her strength and fortitude. One moment that really marked the misogyny, the relentless attacks, and the double standards she was held to may be summed up here —
After a devastating loss, she shifted all her support to Barack Obama. On June 7, 2008, she stood on that stage and told all of us:
Still today, the misogyny persists.
the fact that she’ll do nothing but continue everything in pursuit of her own power
- Glenn Greenwald
In 2016, much to my surprise, she again declared her intention to seek the democratic nominee for President. As opposed to 2008, she ran as a strong, proud feminist, mother, and grandmother. She ran the campaign I wanted to see, that I have dreamed of. She ran as a strong woman, a second wave feminist. I still see in her those beautiful, strong women I have worked with and learned from.
On June 7, 2016, it became clear that she will secure the nomination. Hillary for America released this video:
Last night, she won the Democratic nominee for President by a landslide,all from the popular vote, the pledged delegates and the superdelegates. !!!!
Hillary is ready to go~!
Jessica Valenti summed it up:
on to the White House!