As the dust settles on one of the most extraordinary and at times alarming US election campaigns, we now have the opportunity to reflect on how history was almost made. In the speech she made yesterday, we caught a glimpse of the true Hillary Clinton and of the President she would have been. She spoke from her heart.
For all women, it was a poignant moment when she said ‘I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but I know someday someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now. And to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable, powerful and deserving of every opportunity in the world and every chance to pursue your own dreams’.
In the shadow of the most devastating loss of her career, she still managed to instil hope and inspire future generations. She also encouraged unity with regards to the President Elect when she said, ‘we owe him an open mind and a chance to lead’.
As a student she was involved with social justice activism and her classmates chose her to be the first ever student speaker at her college’s 1969 commencement ceremony. They also predicted that she would be the first female President of the United States!
Throughout her career she has supported the rights of others helping millions of children get the health care they needed, telling the world that ‘women’s rights are human rights’ at a UN conference and has stood up for LGBT rights at home and abroad.
Throughout history women have been breaking down barriers. There are too many to mention but today we praise all ground-breaking, glass-ceiling-smashing world changers such as Rosa Parks, Emmeline Pankhurst, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Thatcher, Mother Teresa and Michelle Obama. These courageous women, along with Hillary and others like them, have paved the way. They have had the resolve to stand up for what they believe in and to lead others to do the same.
We all know women like them, our friends, our mothers, our sisters, who inspire us on a daily basis. We at Lilac encourage you to give thanks to all those inspirational women we know who have changed our lives.
In past months we have witnessed, on a very public stage, how important it is to support other women, to be an example to young girls, to inspire those who don’t have self-belief, to empower those around us and to work hard to leave a legacy for every young girl with a dream in their hearts.
Hillary tried so hard to break through that tough glass ceiling. It has not yet been shattered but thanks to the legacy that has been left behind, it is only a matter of time.
