Support your partner’s aspirations and embrace a journey that takes you away from your own ambitions. Adopt his last name to ensure he garners respect and authority in your community. Adjust your appearance to fit societal norms—style your hair, wear makeup, swap your glasses for contacts, and don a dress. Then, dedicate the next couple of decades to nurturing his dreams while raising your children. Make it your mission to support him, even when his aspirations seem out of reach.
Sound familiar? This was the narrative pushed onto our mothers and grandmothers, and for many, it remains an unwritten rule. It’s a subtle current in the lives of women today, and it’s also Hillary Clinton’s journey.
Picture being a female law student at Yale in the 1970s, just months after being the first student speaker at Wellesley College’s commencement. Hillary had already campaigned for a prominent Republican candidate and even met Martin Luther King Jr. But rather than following her own ambitious path—a dream few women at that time dared to envision—Hillary chose to invest in her husband’s career and raise their daughter.
And what an impressive daughter Chelsea Clinton has turned out to be! A Stanford graduate with master’s degrees from Oxford and Columbia, and a Ph.D. in international relations from Oxford, she embodies the values we hope to instill in our daughters. As a working mom of two, she balances her family life with a commitment to service.
While I’m here navigating the challenges of raising a purposeful daughter in the age of social media, Hillary managed to do it under the spotlight of the White House. That’s who she was before some began to criticize her; that’s still who she is beneath the layers of public scrutiny.
Hillary’s journey includes significant achievements, such as serving as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State, which contributed to her recognition as the “most admired woman in the world” by Gallup a staggering 20 times, including the last 14 consecutive years. People have recognized the sacrifices she made and the impact she’s had on lives globally. Even if they didn’t always like her, respect was hard to ignore.
But when Hillary decided to chase her own dreams and run for president, her likability took a nosedive. This shift wasn’t just the result of an email scandal or an international crisis; it revealed something deeper.
For months, detractors have questioned whether she has the “stamina” to lead. When she disclosed her diagnosis of walking pneumonia, the response was not applause for her resilience, but a chorus of “I told you so.” Because that’s what we do—persevere, no matter the odds.
In the ‘90s, when her health care plan flopped, she faced ridicule. Yet, instead of retreating into the shadows, she emerged stronger, crafting and championing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This vital initiative ensures that no parent in America feels helpless when their child needs medical care—a true phoenix rising from the ashes of perceived failure.
When I stumble, I often find myself wallowing in ice cream and self-pity. But Hillary? She stands tall.
Many have expressed that we should focus less on politics and more on lighthearted parenting tales, but the truth is that we can’t ignore the influence of the role of motherhood on how we perceive Hillary Clinton.
So here’s the deal: vote for who you choose, believe in what resonates with you. But I can’t ignore the journey of a strong woman who has shaped so much of what we discuss today.
Today, I’m casting my vote for the voice of resilience. And whatever your choice on election day, remember to smile.
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Summary:
Hillary Clinton’s journey exemplifies the sacrifices women often make for their partners and families. Despite her significant achievements, her ambition to run for president led to a decline in public favor, highlighting societal biases against women pursuing power. Her resilience and contributions, particularly in children’s health care, reflect the strength of women everywhere.