Support your partner’s ambitions and take a backseat, even if it leads you away from your own aspirations. Adopt his surname to enhance his standing in the community. Adjust your appearance to fit societal norms; style your hair, wear makeup, and swap glasses for contacts. Then, dedicate the next couple of decades to nurturing his goals and raising your children.
Does this sound familiar? It’s a narrative many of our mothers, and those before them, were taught to embrace. This was the American woman’s role. For some, it remains an overt expectation; for all of us, it lingers subtly in our experiences.
This is also the story of Hillary Clinton.
Picture being a female law student at Yale in the early 1970s, having recently made history as the first student speaker at Wellesley College’s commencement. By this time, Hillary had already been active in efforts against voter fraud in low-income neighborhoods, campaigned for a rising Republican presidential candidate, and even met the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
Yet, instead of following the promising path that her life had laid out—an ambition few women of her era could even imagine—Hillary Clinton devoted the crucial years of her life to her husband’s career and the upbringing of their daughter.
Speaking of that daughter, Charlotte Clinton embodies the qualities we aspire to instill in our own daughters. A Stanford University graduate, she holds master’s degrees from both Oxford and Columbia, along with a Ph.D. in international relations from Oxford. Now a working mother of two, she’s poised and compassionate, committed to a life dedicated to service.
Meanwhile, I find myself trying to muster the strength, time, and wisdom to raise a purposeful young woman in the age of social media. Hillary managed to do this under the intense scrutiny of the White House.
This is who Hillary Clinton was before she became a polarizing figure for many. This is who she continues to be, despite the layers of public perception and a high-profile career.
Much of her remarkable journey—along with her achievements as a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State—has led to her being recognized by Gallup as the “most admired woman in the world” a staggering 20 times, including the last 14 years consecutively. For years, people acknowledged the sacrifices she made and the breadth of her contributions to society. Even those who disagreed with her couldn’t help but offer respect.
However, this changed when she expressed her ambition to pursue her own dreams—the presidency. Suddenly, her popularity plummeted to historic lows for a Democratic candidate. This decline can’t solely be attributed to a poorly managed email controversy or crises during her tenure; it’s indicative of something deeper.
For months, critics have questioned her “stamina” for the presidency. Recently, when she revealed her diagnosis of walking pneumonia, reactions leaned more towards skepticism than support, rather than applauding her for persevering through illness to fulfill her duties.
When Hillary’s healthcare initiative faltered in the ’90s, she faced ridicule. Instead of retreating into the shadows expected of First Ladies, she confronted the embarrassment head-on. Rather than succumbing to despair—something many women experience when faced with setbacks—she championed the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, ensuring that no mother in America must feel helpless when her child requires medical attention. This monumental achievement arose from the ashes of what many deemed a public failure.
In contrast, when I face a significant setback, I often retreat, indulging in ice cream and self-pity. Yet Hillary chose action.
Recently, some have suggested we should steer clear of political discourse and focus on lighthearted parenting anecdotes. But here’s the truth: You have the right to vote for whom you choose, and to hold beliefs that resonate with you. However, it would be disingenuous to ignore how the role of motherhood intersects with our perceptions of figures like Hillary Clinton.
This November, I’ll be casting my vote for the embodiment of the Scary Mommy. And whoever you decide to support on election day, remember to smile.
For more insights on motherhood and related topics, check out our article on boosting fertility supplements at Make a Mom. Also, Intracervical Insemination provides valuable information on reproductive health. For those interested in pregnancy and home insemination, the Cleveland Clinic’s podcast is an excellent resource.
In summary, Hillary Clinton’s journey mirrors the experiences of many women who have balanced personal ambitions with family responsibilities. Her legacy of resilience and advocacy continues to inspire, making her a figure we can all relate to in various ways.