November 10, 2016
Dear Grace,
This week has been a big one, both in our lives and in the
life of America. A couple of days ago, America elected Donald Trump as
president. Your dad and I, and many other Americans, have grave fears about
this, but I won’t get into that just now. Instead, I want to tell you about
earlier in the day, before the election results came in.
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| We voted! |
You see, everyone expected that this would be the election
when America would finally elect her first woman president, Hillary Clinton! Oh
Grace, I was so hopeful – for you, and for all girls and women, so that you
would grow up in a world where you would see that you really can be anything
you want, even president!
It was only 96 years ago that women got the right to vote,
in the passing of the 19th amendment. One of the people who worked
tirelessly for this, though never saw it in her lifetime, was Susan B. Anthony.
As it turns out, she lived right here in Rochester, and is buried at Mt. Hope
Cemetery! So on Election Day, I dressed you in all white – the color that
suffragettes wore as they fought for women’s right to vote. I also donned a
white shirt and sweater. And together, we went to our polling site and proudly
cast our vote for what I thought would be our first female president. What an
emotional and exciting experience! I was so delighted to have you with me for
it. We were making history together!
After we cast the vote, we took a field trip to Mt. Hope
Cemetery, to visit Susan B. Anthony’s grave. This has become a Rochester
tradition, to come by and leave “I voted” stickers on Susan B’s grave as a way
to pay her homage and gratitude for the right to vote. I expected a lot of
people, especially with a woman on the ballot for the first time. But Grace –
it was insane! I had to park about a quarter mile away, and then we waited in
line for 90 minutes! I understand it was at least that long a wait for the
whole day. I popped you in the carrier on my back (which you love) and made the
hike, then joined
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| Back of the line |
But even more beautiful than the foliage was the atmosphere.
Being there made me so proud and grateful to be an American. People were kind
to each other. When you wanted to run around a little, strangers smiled and
talked to you, and held my place in line while I followed you to make sure you
didn’t crash into a gravestone. When my 36-week-pregnant body was starting to
get tired of standing with a 20+ pound baby on my back, people offered to hold
you, or find me somewhere to sit. There were lots of women there of all ages,
many dressed in white or even white pantsuits (a style Hillary Clinton is known
for), but also lots of kids, and lots of men. There was a spirit of hope and
gratitude there. Today, we all thought, history would be made!
Hillary’s campaign slogan was “Stronger Together,” and as we
all stood in line, I really felt that. I felt it in the people there that day,
so full of kindness and hope, and especially the people who made it a
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| Front of the line in view! |
When we finally got to the front, we took a picture – one
that I hope will be special to you for years to come, even though the results
were not what we had expected and hoped for. We are squatting behind a stone
marker covered in “I voted” stickers and a pile of flowers, notes, pictures,
etc., grinning. I know you won’t remember the day, but I hope that picture will
be for you a reminder of the greatness that America can achieve, and that in
all things, we are stronger together.
After our picture, a reporter pulled us aside and asked to
interview us. He asked, “What brought you here today?” Suddenly caught up in
the emotion of it all, I got choked up and couldn’t speak. When I could, I
said, “I want my daughter to know she was a part of this day.” Then I smiled
and said again, with more conviction, “When Hillary wins, I want her to know
she was a part of it.” (I made the Democrat and Chronicle with that quote! Read it here.)
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| Made it! |
Well, sadly, Hillary didn’t win (though she DID win the
popular vote!). But I still want you to know, my sweet, smart, talented,
spunky, brave girl, that all those things I felt standing in line are still
true. America is a place where passionate people can make a difference; where
when you care deeply about something, you have the power to change things for a
better future for your children; that it’s true that, as Hillary Clinton also
said many times, “America is great because it is good,” and the goodness of
people can be seen in so many ways.
I hope that you will always watch for it. I hope that it
will bring you hope in dark times. I hope that you will embody that goodness
for others. I think you will.
For now, we will still watch and wait and fight for that
final glass ceiling to be shattered. And in the meantime, we will be goodness
and kindness and light in the world. Lord knows, it is needed now more than
ever.
Your
proud mama
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| Dad rounds out the day by reading you Grace for President. |
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