I still love Hillary Clinton

I cannot help but find myself saddened as I sit here listening to Hillary Clinton give her speech of concession and throw her full support toward Barack Obama. For weeks, people have been hounding her to concede, to give in and give up. They questioned her motives for prolonging her campaign, asking why she would bother trying to continue when the race was so clearly over. A member of her party said it best when he stated, "because [winning the presidency] is her dream and everyone knows it's hard to give up on a dream."

...Especially when that dream is shared with hopeful millions...

I would be lying if I said that the idea of a woman for president did not excite me. As a little girl growing up, I never thought that I would see a woman become president in my lifetime. It was just a distant thought in the back of my head. A thought that only emerged when in the presence of an eager classmate whose dreams fell somewhere between becoming a mommy, a princess, and the president. Years later, despite every feminist bone in my body, I continued to believe that I would never see the day that a woman entered the White House to fulfill a role other than First Lady. I had lost faith in our society and country. After all, how can one even begin to dream of defeating gender inequality in the government when we have not yet defeated similar inequalities and prejudices in the home and workplace. It seemed so very unattainable.

Despite my pessimism, Hillary Clinton emerged months ago with power, force and a dream for presidency. For the first time, I saw possibility. I immediately hopped the Hillary bandwagon, deciding that I would like to see her in the White House now and maybe, Obama later. I followed her campaign on and off, noticing a growing distance between her and Obama and a growing division between the Democratic party.

When Hillary's campaign finally ended, I was upset about her loss but not by Obama's win. Despite our individual desires for a certain candidate, I think it's more important to ensure that a Democrat enters the White House. I stand behind the Democratic party because I wholeheartedly believe that they will bring about the change I wish to see. To me, a vote for McCain is ten steps backward into history. A history in which my gender is no more than chained property.

So, I will continue to love Hillary Clinton, even if she will not be the first female president. It is her journey and campaign trail that has helped to open up doors, paths, and galaxies for women. Because of her, women will be more apt to run for government positions. Because of her, society will show less hesitation in supporting a woman. Because of her, more little girls will dream of becoming president. And because of her, more little girls will achieve that dream.

"Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it. And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time. That has always been the history of progress in America."