This year marks incredible milestones for women in our country. A century ago, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. Fifty-five years ago, the Voting Rights Act was enacted, ensuring that individuals of color could vote without discrimination. These groundbreaking achievements, driven by fearless suffragettes, continue to fuel a vital national discourse on gender and racial equality.
Though I wish we weren’t still grappling with the outdated question of whether a woman can lead our nation, I am grateful for the privilege to vote freely for our next president. This year, I had the wonderful opportunity to take my spirited daughter, Lily, to the voting booth to help me select a candidate.
Lily is a vibrant little dynamo. She’s outspoken, full of love, and believes she has superhero powers. Recently, I introduced her to presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, which sparked her interest.
Her eyes lit up as I showed her videos of Warren speaking at a “Get Out the Vote” event I attended in New Hampshire. Alongside Warren was a remarkable group of congresswomen, including the historic Ayanna Pressley, the first Black congresswoman from Massachusetts, Deb Haaland, a trailblazing Native American representative, and Katie Porter, the first Democrat since the 1930s to serve her California district while being a single mother. I told Lily about Warren’s all-female campaign co-chairs, emphasizing that it was a significant milestone. To Lily, these women embody an incredible team of superheroes.
As we watched Warren speak, my daughter’s smile grew wider. The senator’s empowering words resonated with her, especially when Warren emphasized the importance of uniting to create a country that works for everyone, not just a select few. “It’s about a fight from the heart,” Warren said, highlighting the need for a more inclusive America.
I explained to Lily that a woman has never been elected president in our country. Her reaction was priceless; she gasped in disbelief and exclaimed, “Mommy, I want to meet Elizabeth Warren!”
On February 11th, Lily made a game-changing announcement: she wanted to accompany me to vote. I swiftly contacted her preschool to inform them of her delay. When I asked her why she wanted Warren to lead our country, she declared, “She’s my biggest fan!” I couldn’t help but smile when she affirmed she was Warren’s biggest fan too.
Negotiations ensued when Lily realized her favorite candidate could not greet us at the voting booth. However, the promise of popcorn after voting kept her motivated. Hand in hand, we entered the polling place, where we chatted with polling volunteers who couldn’t resist Lily’s enthusiasm. When it was time to cast our votes, we rushed to the booth, and Lily patiently waited as I completed our ballot.
I squatted beside her to show that we had voted for Warren. Her grin was priceless as she inspected the ballot, ensuring I hadn’t made a mistake. With wise approval, she handed it back and strutted proudly beside me as I deposited it into the voting machine, delighted when a volunteer placed an “I voted” sticker on her coat.
Later, when I picked her up from preschool, I learned she had been excitedly sharing with her teachers and friends how she helped me vote. Just before bedtime, I watched her run around the house yelling, “I’m going to be president!”
This moment was not just cute; it carried profound significance. As a busy mom, I knew Warren was my candidate when she proposed her Universal Childcare plan. As an openly bisexual woman, I admire her commitment to passing the Equality Act, ensuring no member of the LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination. After witnessing how student debt impacted my family, I became a devoted Warren supporter when she promised to forgive student loan debt for millions and invest significantly in historically Black colleges and universities.
But what truly won me over was the positive influence she has had on my daughter. To Lily, Elizabeth Warren is as inspiring as any female hero from her favorite films. Warren’s compassionate spirit resonates with my daughter, who is quick to advocate for her peers and believes in using her voice to uplift others. Seeing a woman like Warren stand strong for change has encouraged Lily to dream big and fight for what’s right.
All young girls need real-life role models to look up to. They deserve evidence that women can lead just as effectively as men have for generations. Like Lily, I grew up hoping for a female president, and it pains me that our society has yet to fully embrace women in leadership roles. When a system benefits only a fraction of the population, we all suffer. Girls everywhere need to see that electing a woman as leader is not just a dream but a tangible reality.
As much as Lily enjoyed helping me vote, I cherished the experience even more. By allowing her to participate in supporting this courageous female candidate, I gave her the invaluable gift of believing in a future where presidents like Elizabeth Warren are not just possible, but commonplace. For more insights into home insemination and related topics, check out this blog post. For additional information about the process, this article is a great resource. If you’re looking for success rates, WebMD has excellent information that can guide you.
Summary:
In this heartfelt piece, Mia Turner reflects on her experience voting for Elizabeth Warren with her daughter, Lily. Celebrating women’s milestones in voting rights, Turner highlights the importance of female representation in leadership and the impact Warren has on inspiring young girls to believe in their potential. Through their journey to the voting booth, Turner emphasizes the significance of role models like Warren, who embody strength and advocate for equality.