Not that it's a shock, but #ImWithHer. Not because she has a (D) by her name, but for who she is as a person, who she stands for, what she represents, how she's evolved in her career, her strength, her grace, her grit, stamina, her determination and her ability to get things done.
I've found in my life that I was both born into and thus surround myself with women who share these qualities. My grandmother owned and operated a business in rural Ohio for the majority of her 92 year life while her husband worked in the mines and died of lung cancer in 1982 while raising four children.
My aunt, her daughter, taught students with special needs for 30 years. She did so after contracting polio at age 5, countless surgeries, endless physical therapy, graduating from Ohio University with her masters, working for the campaigns of President Jimmy Carter and President Bill Clinton so tirelessly as a volunteer and county democratic chair that she was invited to each of their inaugurations, elected as a town councilwoman, served as an elder for our church, traveled throughout the country and world, and last but not least served as my primary example to be who you are and any difference you may have will be erased in people's minds upon meeting and interacting with you.
My mother, again her daughter, taught for 35 years and still works to this day for the teachers of Ohio in any capacity she can find. When teaching, she had a reputation of expecting the best and expected more - which translated to my brother and I, and brings a tear to my eye and fills my heart with pride when any former student stops me to tell me how much better she made their lives. She too, works tirelessly for our church, community, and for campaigns that she is passionate about. Everyday, my mother wakes up, she thinks "What do I need to accomplish today?" and "How can I give back?"
My best friends are all remarkable women themselves. From a CFO, to a partner in a law firm (both at age 35), to teachers, to a woman who dedicates her life to work in nutrition, to a woman who dedicates her life to help those with drug and alcohol dependencies, to ones who own and operate their own business and ones who's careers support major fortune 500 companies in integral ways. All of these women are active in their communities, give back in their time and talents whenever possible and however possible.
Strong women inspire me and have my entire life! I've been with her since I learned about Hillary Clinton in 1991. I was with her in 2008 and I'm still with her because to witness the scrutiny that she's endured and the fact that she still gets up and tries is a constant reminder of all the aforementioned women in this letter and so many more in my life that have endured hardships, and made decisions that may not have always been right but ones that they learned from and grew from. These women did so with grace, grit, strength, character, determination, kindness, empathy, passion, intelligence and heart.
For that reason, I'm with her and and other her that shows you yes when so many others want to show them no. I'm with the her's that put on a smile when all they want to do is shed a tear, that hug you when words aren't enough, that listen, that stand up for themselves and for others, and that make their voices heard . . . even when it trembles.
Thank you to those women and all women who exemplify these qualities and so many more I didn't address. You may not think that people notice, but I do and I'm better for having noticed.
