(And, yes, I, too, support Hillary Clinton. And, yes, I, too, am a longtime feminist. But that is so not the point.)
Here, I think, is the point: take note, if you would, of what the millennial feminist women I know, who #FeelTheBern, tell me:
--Since significant barriers to women's political participation have been overcome, and women now hold senior political positions you and I could only dream of when we were their age, they conclude that a woman will get elected POTUS sometime soon. So, a woman doesn't need to be elected now.
--They abhor the fact that Hillary Clinton stuck with President Clinton after his affair with Monica Lewinsky and the resulting impeachment. They view that decision as anti-feminist and demeaning, so not what they want in their first woman POTUS.
--They speculate that, if Clinton stood by her man because she needed his political capital to build her political career, (a view I've heard expressed even among those who support Clinton for president), then they see her as the quintessence of politics business-as-usual, which they really, really dislike, and which Bernie Sanders promises to end.
--They support Sanders because he is so forthright, (so feminist), so constant, when he calls for reducing income inequality and so vociferously states his willingness to take the biggest step needed to counter it to improve their lives (and those of millions of American women of every age). These young women hear Sanders, and they feel this is the committment they need in their POTUS. If not now, when, they ask.
My Twitter and Facebook feeds from these young women are exploding: "No. Just no." "Oh, I just can't even." "I am without speech that a woman I so admire could let me down so profoundly. It has hit me to my core, and I am breathless at how sad I feel."
Dear Gloria: I, too, am breathless at how sad I feel.
So, consider this, if you would: for decades, Hillary Clinton has worked as hard as anyone in politics to promote women's equality and public policies beneficial to us. She has worked as hard as anyone to develop her presidential bonafides on matters of state. She has held both executive and legislative office, providing her the governance training a POTUS needs. She has been a successful public advocate, proving she knows what it takes to mobilize movements for social change into winnable policy campaigns.
So, consider this, if you would: above all, above any other POTUS candidate, Hillary Clinton doesn't need blind allegiance in order to deserve voters' support. What she does (desperately) need is for us to help millennial women understand that since our fight for equality is not yet won, a woman POTUS could make all the difference in the world. Literally.
Dear Gloria: you have been uniquely situated to make this case. Now, you aren't. I, too, am breathless at how sad I feel.
By contrast, I was breathless, with happiness, when, decades ago in our campaign for equality, I read your friend Robin Morgan's book, Sisterhood is Powerful. Robin wrote words I'd never read before.
--We are sisters, regardless of our differences in age, race, ethnicity, politics, or sexual orientation, because we are women. That's what we build from. That's what we never forget.
--We are sisters because we know we can differ on policy approaches to achieving equality, and on who is best suited to lead those policy fights, yet come together for the common good we women know.
--We are powerful because we respect other women, whether or not we agree with them.
--We are powerful because our lives aren't determined by where the boys are, but by where we are.
--We are powerful because our lives are determined by what we decide to achieve for ourselves, individually or collectively.
-- We are powerful because we sisters honor the women who died for every woman's right to vote, for whoever. We are powerful because we know that, otherwise, we are nothing.
Dear Gloria: it's time to get women right and right this wrong. Let's hear from you.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.