Hillary Clinton says it's time for Kamala Harris to break 'glass ceiling'

Hillary Clinton, a prominent figure in American politics, recently addressed a large audience at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. During her speech, she expressed her hope that Kamala Harris could break the 'highest, hardest glass ceiling' by becoming the first female president of the United States. Mrs. Clinton reflected on her own historic achievement of being the first woman to secure a major party nomination for president, stating, 'When a barrier falls for one of us, it clears the way for all of us. ' This sentiment emphasizes the idea that one woman's success can pave the way for others. Although Mrs. Clinton's campaign in 2016 was groundbreaking, it ultimately ended in defeat against Donald Trump. Now, as the Democratic Party prepares for another attempt to elect a woman to the White House, she believes it is time for Kamala Harris to take the lead. Mrs. Clinton remarked, 'Together, we’ve put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling,' envisioning a future where Kamala Harris is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Many attendees at the convention noted that the political landscape has evolved since Mrs. Clinton's presidential run. At that time, she emphasized her gender as a central theme of her campaign, a strategy that Kamala Harris seems to be avoiding. The question remains whether the political environment has changed enough for the vice president to reach the highest office in the nation. Minyon Moore, the chair of the Democratic National Convention Committee, praised Mrs. Clinton for 'shattering a lot of glass for many people,' but acknowledged the challenges that still exist. Women politicians and delegates shared their experiences of facing obstacles in politics, both in running for office and serving their communities. For instance, Mallory McMorrow, a state senator from Michigan, recalled a woman in her district who questioned whether she planned to have children, stating, 'This is not a job for a mom. ' Despite this, Ms. McMorrow became the second senator in Michigan history to give birth while in office. Judy Mount, the first African-American female chair of the Florida Democrats, highlighted the long struggle for women to hold leadership positions in state political parties, saying, 'People just do not want to see a woman in charge of anything. ' This illustrates the ongoing barriers women face in politics. During her 2016 presidential campaign, Mrs. Clinton encountered significant scrutiny regarding her appearance, clothing, and even her voice. Deloris Hudson, an Ohio delegate at the DNC, noted that Mrs. Clinton entered the race with more 'baggage' than the average candidate. Voters often judged her not only on her qualifications as a senator and former US secretary of state but also on her marriage to former President Bill Clinton. Many women also criticized Mrs. Clinton for staying with her husband after his affair with Monica Lewinsky, an intern in the White House. Mrs. Clinton's loss to Trump in 2016 sparked a wave of activism among women, leading to widespread marches and a record number of female candidates running for office in 2018. As a result, the percentage of women in the House of Representatives has increased from 19. 1% in 2017 to 28. 5% today, according to the Pew Research Center. Additionally, over the past decade, the belief that men are better suited for politics than women has steadily declined, as shown by data from the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center. In contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Kamala Harris does not face the same pressure to represent all women. Mallory McMorrow pointed out that since Mrs. Clinton's campaign, more women have been running and winning elections, allowing them to express their individuality. While Mrs. Clinton sought to rally voters around her female candidacy with the slogan 'I’m with Her,' Ms. Harris has largely refrained from discussing gender. This shift may be both intentional and a natural evolution, as there are now many women in politics. Supporters of Ms. Harris, including women and voters of color, have played a crucial role in raising significant funds for her campaign. They view her as a younger, fresh alternative to the 78-year-old Trump, providing the Democratic ticket with much-needed momentum as the election approaches. For some Democrats, like US Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from Michigan, Ms. Harris’s rise to the top of the ticket symbolizes the progress women have made in politics. However, she also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, 'We need to make sure that we include everybody, that no demographic feels left behind because someone else succeeds. ' This highlights the ongoing work needed to ensure that all voices are heard and represented in the political landscape.