Human Rights are Women's Rights

Viewpoint from our Author Reflects on Many a Millennial’s Hope for America

The past year has been long, exhausting, dispiriting, and difficult. Women and minorities have repeatedly felt victimized and attacked in ways that most of us thought–at least hoped were disappearing from our society. But in the midst of endless insults and hatred, there was hope, togetherness, and an intense desire for continued progress as a nation. Those lights in the darkness were thanks to a campaign run on the platform of being “Stronger Together.” Thanks to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, there was and is hope in a seemingly hopeless time.

I have been “with her” for a long time, and that will not change now. But it is not just because she is a woman; I am still with her because she fights for the good in our country and believes in the potential of each and every one of us–even those who do not trust her or voted against her–to be positive agents of change and progress and contribute productively to society. I know Hillary is not perfect; no politician or person is, no matter their actions, beliefs, party loyalties, or rhetoric. It is impossible to satisfy everyone, and it is also impossible to never make mistakes. But it cannot be denied that Hillary Clinton has spent decades of her life dedicated to bettering society and in constant devotion to public service.

Indeed, Hillary has always fought for young people and for the future. She has focused on social issues, something so many millennials are distinctly passionate about. As seen from a map circulating the internet following Election Day, young people aged 18-25 overwhelmingly voted “blue” because they believe in the same things Hillary and the Democratic Party do.
From being an instrumental part of the Children’s Defense Fund to protecting 9/11 First Responders to her groundbreaking statement “human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights,” Hillary has played an important part in bringing crucial, necessary, and timely issues into the national spotlight.

Hillary has advocated for early education, sensible gun control, affordable healthcare and college, fair and equal wages, combating climate change, justice, unity, and progress, amongst countless other things. She believes in the rights of women and minorities and in equality. In hope. In the inherent goodness of all of us. Despite how the election unfolded, I still believe in these things, as does much of my generation.

Hillary believes in us. She always has. Now is the time to take the intelligence, class, and dignity she has shown and use it to drive our fight for what’s right and for the good that does exist in our country. As my 17-year-old sister, Gillian, posted on Facebook: “We must look to the future and come together, strong and united. We must fight for what we believe in. We must embrace one another with acceptance, camaraderie, and love.” We must follow the example Hillary has set and continue to push for what we believe in. She has fought tirelessly for us and for the things we care about, and now it is our turn to take action.

It is now up to us, the generation of the future, to continue the fights Secretary Clinton has fought for so long. Thank you, Hillary, for continuing the fight and inspiring so many, myself included. Thank you for constantly working for the future and for pushing our nation towards progress and equality. Thank you for being a role model for millions of young girls and women who, because of you, believe they can do great things, even run for President. Thank you for starting us on a path to fighting for what we believe in. Thank you for your wisdom, grace, sincerity and strength in the face of endless adversity. Thank you for making history. Truly, thank you for everything.

“I still believe as deeply as I ever have that if we stand together and work together with respect for our differences, strength in our convictions and love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us.” – Hillary Clinton

Two-time Inside Chappaqua Guest Editor Lindsay Hand is a junior Communication major at Cornell University.