In the wake of Hillary Clinton's victories in New Jersey and California, a young colleague -- and Bernie supporter -- asked why this nomination was such a big effing deal. "She's an old-school Democrat," she pointed out. "It's not like she'll disrupt the status quo."
But of course, she already has. As the first female presidential candidate, Hillary -- like that uppity negro, Barack Obama -- has upset one of the biggest apple carts in history.
I am both horrified that this nomination took 228 years and elated that I am here to see it. At 55, I'm old enough to have been openly underpaid and discriminated against. I remember when female Yale Club members weren't allowed to use the pool because the guys wanted to swim naked. I got fired from a waitressing job because a customer grabbed my breast and I hit him with a tray of beers -- he threatened to sue if they didn't let me go. My first boss in advertising slapped me on set and told me to "let the big boys do the thinking." (I had no recourse other than to quit, which I did.)
And here's the kicker: Every woman I know has a story like this. This shit has been Standard Operating Procedure forever, and just when you think it's gone, there's Trump emitting noxious gas about women or people openly describing Hillary as a man-eating bitch. If nothing else, recent events -- ranging from Trump's misogyny to the judge in the Stanford rape case to "Bernie Bros" calling a female reporter a cunt -- show me how desperately women need to have more representation, and power, in this country.
No one knows this better than Hillary Rodham Clinton. From the age of 13, when she famously wrote to NASA asking to become an astronaut and was told they didn't accept women, to not being allowed to use her maiden name as First Lady of Arkansas, to fielding literally thousands of misogynist slurs both during the 2008 campaign and over the past year, she has seen it all. And yes, she's got a "steely resolve," and no, she's not "warm and fuzzy." Most people fighting for their lives, and their rights, are not.
So yes, Virginia, this is a big effing deal. Hillary is here, she deserves to be here, and -- like Obama -- she had to be a million times better than the men she opposed to get here. And that's why #imwithher.
Post 50 Female Legends And Icons
The Disney Princess(01 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Ann Sweeney (53)Why: In a world where young girls dream of being like Cinderella, Snow White, and Jasmine -- we can't help but think how cool it is that there's a new Disney princess to look up to: Ann Sweeney. As the co-chair of Disney Media Networks and President of Disney-ABC Television Group, she is a woman in a predominately male business. Sweeney uses this platform to work in organizations such as Cable Positive - a group of CEOs that work with the media's resources in the fight against AIDS. Photo: Getty (credit:Getty)
The Fashion Icon(02 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Philanthropist(03 of20)
Open Image ModalThe California Girl(04 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Dianne Feinstein (78)Why: In many ways, it seems the San-Francisco born Feinstein has been a heavy-hitter since the day she was born. The former (and first-female) San Francisco Mayor is a California girl thru-and-thru who has survived divorce, death, and even representing the Democrats in the Senate.Photo: Getty (credit:Getty)
The Empowerer(05 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Zen Master(06 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Resilient Author(07 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Joan Didion (76)Why: After the literary icon behind "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" and "Play It As It Lays" endured the deaths of both her husband and daughter - she gave us the gift of "The Year Of Magical Thinking". "Blue Nights," Joan Didion's memoir about her daughter, Quintana, will be released on Nov. 1, 2011.Photo: Getty
The Reinventor(08 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Go-To Girl(09 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Barbara Walters (82)Why: She's undeniably the queen of interviews having questioned the likes of Monica Lewinsky, Hugo Chavez, Anna Wintour, Katherine Hepburn and Anwar Al Sadat -- to name a few. Now holding the reigns on The View she's as strong as she's ever been.Photo: Getty
The CEO(10 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Funny Girl(11 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Rockstar(12 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Bonnie Raitt (61)Why: The best-selling, classic blues-playing rockstar follows in rebel music history with her long-standing political activism. She frequently speaks out against politicians she doesn't support and just as often she praises those she admires. In 2000, she was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame - for a game that mostly men play - but we aren't knocking her dad, John, because we loved him too.Photo: Getty (credit:Getty)
The Academy Queen(13 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Meryl Streep (62)Why: Not only does she have 16 Academy Award nominations and 25 Golden Globe nominations, but she often has won these accolades playing roles that defy the gender roles assigned to women. Streep plays Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming film, "The Iron Lady". Photo: Getty
The Peacemaker(14 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Hillary Clinton (63)Why: The current Secretary of State is no stranger to gossip. She has always risen above adversity with dignity and style. Not only was she an active First Lady, but she did as we know, run for President herself. No shame in that!Photo: Getty
The Power Player(15 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Diane Sawyer (65)Why: The former host of Good Morning America and current anchor of ABC World News has interviewed famous people such as Robert McNamara, Nancy Pelosi, Richard Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Madonna, and Roman Polanski. She was one accused of being "Deep Throat" and has fought the "Mommy War" rumors with ease.Photo: Getty (credit:Getty)
The 'Leading' Lady(16 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Pioneer(17 of20)
Open Image ModalThe Helper(18 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Condoleezza Rice (56)Why: The former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor did not forget the importance of strong educational roots. After her time concluded at the White House, Rice returned to Stanford as a Political Economy Professor in the Graduate School of Business. Rice has been prolific in female society roles. She is on the Board at both the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.Photo: Getty (credit:Getty)
The Girl's Girl(19 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Gloria Steinem (77)Why: As the leader of the Women's Liberation Movement, Steinem has been at this for a while -- and she's not backing down. She co-founded the Women's Media Center, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and Ms. Magazine. She is writing a book about her activism, with the working title of "Road to the Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered."Photo: Getty
The Movie Star(20 of20)
Open Image ModalWho: Michelle Pfeiffer (53)Why: The one-time Cat woman has shied away from press in the past, but her recent cover for Elle Magazine's "Women In Hollywood 2011" issue has reminded us all that she never really left the limelight. Photo: Getty
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