“One day it’ll be your turn”, a simple phrase presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said to millions of young American girls who stayed up late to watch the DNC convention last week. With a little over 100 days left until the election, both conventions drove home equal opportunity, but it was Hillary’s accomplishment of having shattered the highest American political glass ceiling to date that sparked a whirlwind of online buzz.
During this historical moment last week, Hillary not only set the bar for other young females, she instilled a new level of optimism and self-confidence for all women alike.
As we look to our next generation of women, our only hope is to provide them an even playing field to fulfill their own dreams and that starts with empowerment and education.
Also making their debut during the conventions were Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump, two strong and accomplished females in their own right, who both introduced their parents-turned-presidential-nominees. As their biggest followers and in some instances, senior advisors, you cannot help but to think that children of presidential nominees play an influential roles in their parents’ campaigns.
But was it a coincidence that both conventions elected to have the daughters of both nominees intro their parents, not the sons? I think not. Both Chelsea and Ivanka gave incredible and very humble opening statements, however it was their confidence, inspirational message and powerful delivery that will not be forgotten.
Regardless of your political affiliation, one cannot argue that we need more strong-willed women like Ivanka and Chelsea leading change, being mentors, humanizing expectations of women in the workplace and shattering some of the highest glass ceilings. And this is done by empowering young women through education and providing opportunities where they can overcome challenges, reach goals, build their self-confidence to become the influencers we need today.
About the author: Nicole Minor is the founder and executive director
of The Pangea Network, an international non-profit dedicated to
empowering motivated young females in Kenya and the United States
with the knowledge, skills and an online network of support in order to
achieve their dreams and make positive, life-changing contributions in
communities where they live
