"A lot of young women have said that they will not vote for a candidate based on gender. That would be sexist, they say, and they are not wrong.

They are not wrong because ultimately, if great cultural and political movements succeed, the results become ordinary, customary, no longer an issue. And for young women today, that is now the case and that is our generation's achievement."

What a wonderful quotable statement you made---- THANK YOU!!
We worked hard to get here.

Hillary is not my candidate of choice. However, I too was moved to tears last night. I hadn't even decided to watch! I tuned in to hear much of Pres. Clinton's speech, and I have to say he was doing a fine job. I can't explain it, but this is very like my feeling in 2008, when Barack Obama was nominated. It just feels exhilirating. I loved the video too. It made me laugh with delight.

However a lot can happen between now and November. Please--no more shocks! Secure your email people!

I think the reason she is hated on the other side is BECAUSE she is a woman as there is nothing else of any significance to bring forward.

Seems to me we need to speak of this monumental success as "HERSTORY" as
it has nothing to do with "history".....

I too wept. I call it "Cry for Happy", a phrase I remember from an old movie. I have tears in my eyes right now from your blog reminding me how emotional this event has made me!

I'm from the same era you are, Ronni, and I share your sentiments exactly. I'm so pleased that my daughter did not grow up having to settle for the humiliation of lower wages, sexual comments in the work place, and all the other degrading things we had to fight and suffer from!

But the fight's not over !!! We have to keep marching and carrying a great big sign until we are rid of trash like the P.T. Barnum wanna-be called Trump and others like him. The old, white, entrenched males are not going to without a fight and poor Hillary has volunteered to lead that fight. She will have scars ... sighhh

Intellectually I appreciate the significance of Hillary's nomination, but emotionally it does nothing for me. I, too, grew up in the '50s with Friedan and Steinem, but I was raised believing I could do anything I wanted, and I did (until ageism stopped me). I felt no need to burn my bra and I liked gentlemen opening doors for me. I confess that at that moment when Hillary broke through that digital glass ceiling last night, I cringed. How is that glass ceiling thing supposed to appeal to male voters? Will it alientate a lot of them even as it attracts a lot of women? I'd like to see a campaign based on what she intends to do as president rather than on her gender.

I so hope this comes true.

I, also not a big Hillary fan, shed a tear or two every time I think of her historic win. I only wish my Aunt Adele were still alive to see this- after Obama's win last election, she said she wished a woman would win. Unfortunately, she died last year just a couple of months before her 100th birthday. She would have been ecstatic.

PS: It has EVERYTHING to do with history.

I too am thrilled by Hillary's nomination. I have supported her all along, not because she is a woman, but because I believe she is super qualified to be president. Bill Clinton, that ol' fox, did her proud last night, and I can't help thinking about those Republican men who so hate her. It remains to be seen which is more powerful, a deep seated national misogyny or racism. She is everything the old order fears, bless her. And I fear for her.

Here's one old white man who cheered. What wonderful progress our country has made in my lifetime. There's still a ways to go in making America greater, but a giant step was taken last night.

Made me weep happily as well. When I got married eons ago, I couldn't have credit in my name, my husband could sell our cars, house, whatever, without so much as a by your leave for me, and he did too in spite of my requests. Many things have changed for the better and still need to change. I'm excited and at 74 and I am trying to teach my 7 grand-girls and two grand-sons that there are many things, reproductive independence for instance & affordable daycare for families headed by men, women or both, that need to continue to change. The thought that this country could elect the T-word leaves me astonished and sad. What a nasty piece of work he is.

My head is delighted with Hillary's achievement and what it means for women, and men (less pressure to be all?), and children. She earned and deserves it. It will be a bumpy ride for her, and in 2020, we'll probably be hearing about Bengazi all over again. However, we might also be seeing a very altered field of political parties at that point.

But Bernie captured my spirit and heart's desires, so it was when his brother spoke that I soaked my face with tears. What a generous, lovely gesture and the feeling between them was palpable.

Fantastic, Classof65. Thanks for posting that lyric.

I agree with many comments above mine. And, also the very obvious fact that she is the most qualified candidate. She is not perfect, she has made mistakes, but she is qualified. I was not a Bernie supporter, but I did tear up when his brother spoke and when he gave Hillary the nomination. He created a movement that I hope will only continue to grow if the younger ones stick with it and not give up easily as they take the reigns.

On the other hand there is a sadness in me. The forces that support Mr. Trump stun and astonish me. When I think about what appears to be a mean-spirited, small-minded, empty-hearted group of citizens, I could just cry. Really. Cry. I am not naive. I know there is a dark side to humanity but seeing it played out in incredulous ways this election cycle is heart-breaking. The comments I see on my Facebook page baffle and shock me. People I've known all my life - family and friends - have shown me "true colors" that leave me speechless. Intelligence, facts, steady-handedness, even tempered do not seem to matter.

And one final thought - given that there are those who have been gunning for her for YEARS...I often wonder if she were a man...if their mission would be so passionate and long-lasting.

And I'm another weeper-for-joy! Throughout last nights coverages different speakers and images would have me burst into tears all over again.

What was most powerful for me was seeing Obama and Clinton embrace and walk the stage. Our first black president passing the baton to our first woman presidential candidate. Talk about a moment in history! I know I'm late to this conversation but had to comment anyway! 😍

I do understand the tears of joy. But as a non-American, I also feel a bit bemused by the depth of the ecstatic response. Women leaders aren't a new thing after all; democratic societies have been electing women leaders for many years now. And whether or not we happened to agree with their politics, there's no doubt they've been strong, capable, intelligent, influential, even formidable. Angela Merkel anyone?

Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Julia Gillard, Theresa May...just a few of the better known female leaders of our lifetime. It's a long list! It seems a wee bit insulting to these other towering examples of female leadership to act as though Hillary Clinton is the first woman to ever break through the glass ceiling leading to the top job. I DO totally admire her intelligence and commitment and courage and incredible determination. And yeah okay, it IS the United States of America, I get that. But still, she's not the first and many other western democracies have broken through that particular glass ceiling a long time ago.

I think the more crucial issue for women in politics (and women in many other fields as well), beyond breaking through glass ceilings, is the relentless sexism that often dogs them even after they have achieved the pinnacle of power (see Julia Gillard). But that's a subject for another day.

Probably if this election wasn't such a nail-biter, it would seem more exciting that the USA has a woman in contention for the White House. But this time around, with the stakes so frighteningly high, whether the candidate is male or female seems like the least of our worries. Again, as a non-American who can only watch from the sidelines while chewing my fingernails off, I'm just hoping for a "good" outcome, not only for Americans, but for the rest of the world as well. As our former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said, living next to the United States is "like sleeping with an elephant". Nerve-wracking as hell...even when we love the elephant :-)

I was teary and laughing with joy. I encouraged my grand children to watch, especially my granddaughters so they can someday say "i remember when..."

I was also laughing because Hillary is criticized for wearing pants suits. Give us a break! I can remember when I was not allowed to wear slacks to high school and couldn't wear pants working as a nursing student! AND those skirts had to be below the knee! Yeah for pants and a for woman who makes them her working uniform!