For New Jersey Girls…Anything Is Possible

I don't like to talk about politics.   And I am not taking sides.  But I just want to acknowledge that history was made last night when Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.

Whether you think she'd make a good president or not, the mere fact that a woman will be on the ballot will have an impact on the young people watching this election unfold.  I remember my mother pointing out how great it was that Geraldine Ferraro was selected as Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984.  Growing up in Queens, I had always known Ferraro to be in government so the idea of a female politician was normal to me.  It was my mother who pointed out how groundbreaking it was because she, and generations before her had only been represented by men in government.

I am glad that young girls today will see a woman running for President.  It's one more step toward normalizing the concept of women in government.  I'd like to think that having Clinton on the ballot will give other women the nudge they need to step into public office.

An interesting "behind the scenes" look at the small, but growing, number of women in government can be found in the 2007 documentary "14 Women."  The whole film can be found online but here's a short trailer for it.

Do you think Hillary Cliinton's nomination will encourage young girls to get into politics when they grow up?