The front page of yesterday’s New York Times read, “A Significant Moment for American Women.”
“What does it take to be the first female anything?” actress Meryl Streep asked the Democratic National Convention in our great city of Philadelphia this week. She continued, it takes “capacity of mind, fullness of heart and a burning passion for their cause.”
As I read this from my home in Morocco I was brought to tears as I was the day before after watching Michelle Obama’s speech. What a significant week it has been for American women indeed.
In this increasingly complex time, we are reminded every day that the playing field is not level. That people do not in fact have the same opportunities everywhere. I love living abroad because I am an American woman living abroad and that makes me one of the most free in the world. I owe that to the generations of women before me including Hillary Clinton who paved the way for my freedoms. I owe that also to my parents who made sure that I had a great education and exposure to the ideals of a country where there are no limits on who we can be and what we believe in.
I couldn’t agree more with Michelle Obama when she said, don’t let anyone tell you that America is not great. Other ex pats probably agree, sometimes it takes leaving the country to see with your own eyes what makes American ideals so powerful.
Whether you are a democrat or republican we all can agree that the power of this past week has been undeniable. Madeleine Albright, Elizabeth Warren, Gabby Giffords, Senator Amy Klobuchal, there are so many powerful women role models and change-makers among us. “The world is changing beneath our feet and it’s past time to embrace a twenty-first century approach to advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls at home and across the globe.” (Hillary Clinton -Women in the World Summit, April 5, 2013)
“She’ll be the first, but she won’t be the last.” Closed Meryl Streep.
As my daughter Hiba watched parts of this convention with her Aunt Katie in New Jersey this week, I am proud and honored for her to be there and witness this historic and transformational moment in American history. Because even at two she understood that something powerful has just happened.
Our First Lady called for America to get to work and elect it’s first female president, and oh yes, along with all of us Hiba clapped!
We are so proud of what you and your sister have become. We are proud Americans and are glad our granddaughter can grow and learn from us the values and morals from all around her
LikeLiked by 1 person
BRAVA!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfectly Said….with gratitude and love!
LikeLiked by 1 person