In the most literal sense, no woman could relate to Hillary Clinton Sunday night as she stood on the presidential debate stage. Yet somehow, every woman could.
Clinton showed up prepared to act how women are taught we need to in order to prove ourselves in male-dominated space: She came armed with facts, kept her composure as to not seem emotional, and forced a smile when there was nothing to smile about. The democratic nominee was met by a man (if you could call him that) who interrupted her constantly to mansplain topics he knows nothing about, lost his temper when his ego was bruised, made light of his own rape-y comments, and lurked behind her intimidatingly as to imply: This is a man’s world, you’re just livin’ in it.
Honestly, what women hasn’t been there?
Here are 30 tweets from women who knew exactly how Clinton felt Sunday night:
Trying to get shit done while a man lurks disapprovingly behind you pretty much sums up womanhood pic.twitter.com/HYnkbcrqXq
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) October 10, 2016
Hillary Clinton is every competent, experienced woman who's had to fight to be heard over an underqualified, overconfident man.
— Mary Beth Williams (@embeedub) October 10, 2016
this is how I felt before getting a root canal like I knew I would survive but it was going to be deeply unpleasant
— Julia Carrie Wong (@juliacarriew) October 10, 2016
behind every strong woman is a man wondering why he can't grab her 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/CqVHTM4K5Y
— Aparna Nancherla (@aparnapkin) October 10, 2016
TFW you are a woman walking home alone at night #debate pic.twitter.com/1QdcMCMLS5
— Alex Berg (@AlexfromPhilly) October 10, 2016
Interesting to see Donald Trump do live onstage what so many women have reported: getting in your space, trying to physically intimidate you
— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) October 10, 2016
he's hovering like a dude who bought you a single drink at the club
— Hannah Giorgis (@ethiopienne) October 10, 2016
Hillary Clinton had the look every woman ever has on her face when her male boss who's a 1000 times dumber than her is talking. #debate
— non-pussy eating guy (@DesiJed) October 10, 2016
I wouldn't shake Donald Trump's hands either based on what I know what he's grabbing 👀 #debate
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) October 10, 2016
this is why i refuse to "debate" MRA twitter eggs. because it's literally exactly like this. actually it's more coherent & respectful.
— Lindy West (@thelindywest) October 10, 2016
Hillary's face right now is every woman when everyday sexism is dismissed as "lockerroom talk" #debate
— Ashley Csanady (@AshleyCsanady) October 10, 2016
watching this as a woman is so emotionally difficult because we've all been belittled like this by a male moron and had to take it #debate
— Claire Fallon (@ClaireEFallon) October 10, 2016
Crying. This is how it feels to be a woman. You follow all the rules and try to be professional and he talks over you about nothing. #debate
— Megan Ganz (@meganganz) October 10, 2016
Hillary's self-control as a man talks down to her is something every woman has strived to have at one point. Get it, girl. #Debates2016
— Courtney Kochuba (@CourtKochuba) October 10, 2016
Hillary is proof a woman can work hard, rise to the top of her field & still have to compete against a less qualified man for the same job.
— Erin Ruberry (@erinruberry) October 10, 2016
Hillary Clinton is every woman who's ever been in a meeting with a man. pic.twitter.com/DxHKyNHHz0
— HuffPostWomen (@HuffPostWomen) October 10, 2016
I like when he tells a lie then immediately calls her a liar-its like every bad relationship that ends w/the guy sayin "idk bitch was crazy"
— Marcella Arguello (@marcellacomedy) October 10, 2016
Right now Hillary is every woman who has ever been mansplained. #debates #debate2016 #HRC pic.twitter.com/m19r1BJfjV
— Ophiewan (@EMTophelia) October 10, 2016
Hillary is every woman who has conscientiously prepared only to be patronized by some entitled, ignorant jerk.
— Amanda Kolson Hurley (@amandakhurley) October 10, 2016
Just like in the last debate, Hillary’s face is frozen in a look of noncommittal, thinly veiled frustration that every woman has perfected.
— Krista (@nonsoccermom) October 10, 2016
Note to my male friends who might not realize: Trump's standing behind her is a bullying tactic. Abusive men do this to us all the time.
— Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) October 10, 2016
Every woman watching has had a creepy dude pace behind her. #debates
— Erin Judge (@erinjudge) October 10, 2016
When he interrupts you to tell you what a gentleman he is. pic.twitter.com/eK3goiTyH3
— Amy Dillon (@amydillon) October 10, 2016
When this happens to me on a sidewalk, I basically start running. pic.twitter.com/dcg3KsOXdB
— Meredith Shiner (@meredithshiner) October 10, 2016
why is trump standing right behind her like that, his body language reminds me of every abuser i've ever encountered. #debate
— Elizabeth Plank (@feministabulous) October 10, 2016
hillary clinton: ....okay, donald. #debate hillary clinton is every woman who has ever had to talk to a belligerent man
— Julia Berry (@juliaeberry) October 10, 2016
Hillary is every woman who has had enough. #Debate pic.twitter.com/3VqsuDscdn
— Dracuella Dawson (@brosandprose) October 10, 2016
When you getting ready to light his ass up with facts pic.twitter.com/BLtSn9nudq
— 🐷✨ (@monielovex) October 10, 2016
Hillary Clinton is every woman right now. Good effing Lord. #debate #imwithher #nevertrump
— Rachel Sklar (@rachelsklar) October 10, 2016
Literally if I was Hillary I'd just be like "Suck it. Thank you."
— Emily McCombs (@msemilymccombs) October 10, 2016
Editor’s note: Donald Trump regularlyincitespolitical violence and is a
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