Quickie: Birthday Wishes

Happy 61st Birthday to Senator Hillary Clinton. I wish her much peace, happiness, and joy. From Jezebel, the video clip from the convention and why she inspires us to reach higher:



My favorite quote from that speech?

And so dawned a struggle for the right to vote that would last 72 years, handed down by mother to daughter to granddaughter – and a few sons and grandsons along the way.

These women and men looked in-to their daughters’ eyes, imagined a fairer and freer world, and found the strength to fight. To rally and picket. To endure ridicule and harassment. To brave violence and jail.

And after so many decades – 88 years ago on this very day – the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote would be forever enshrined in our Constitution.

My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for President.

That last line brings tears to my eyes every time. It's why I proudly voted for Clinton in the primary, with my daughter by my side. And it is why it pisses me off that I can't vote for another woman - Sarah Palin - and have to explain to my daughter why: that not all women believe in women's rights and human rights. That not all women want to end the war. That sometimes we have to look beyond gender and vote for people who will do the right thing. And, indeed, that just because she's a woman doesn't mean she's right. Hard lessons for a 6 year old, not to mention her 40-year old mom!