A Vote for Hillary Clinton is a Vote for Moms Across America

As a kid growing up in Long Island, I remember hearing my mom crying at the kitchen table as my dad tried to console her.

She had recently lost her dad, my grandfather.

And, after giving birth to my brother and taking maternity leave, she lost her teaching job because she fell behind in seniority to male colleagues.

Money quickly became an issue for our family. There was a lot of stress in the house.

I set up a table in our garage with many of my belongings -- baseball cards, board games and other items -- hoping to raise money for the family. I might have made a sale if I set up shop closer to the street. But, I digress.

Laws have since been passed that protect new moms from being let go and dismissed the way my mom was.

On November 8, 2016, we each have an opportunity to impact the course of our country's history and continue to ensure the fair and balanced treatment of women.

We also have the chance to protect the many diverse populations of our great nation, including my own LGBTQ community.

For those of you who think voting for the Republican candidate, voting for a third party candidate or not voting at all are viable options, I plead with you to reconsider.

For me there is only one choice.

I'm with her: I will cast my ballot for our first female commander-in-chief, President Hillary Clinton.

After all, a vote for Clinton is a vote for every mother across America -- the ones like my mom who have always deserved and will always deserve to be treated equally and with the utmost respect.