I am a daughter, a woman and a mother [View All]

[Coexist]

and the freedoms I have been given by giants like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Margaret Sanger, Betty Friedan are immense.

However, the assertion that the pinnacle of the woman’s movement will be the election of Hillary Clinton as the President of the United States, and that is what I should fill my heart with, is wrong. A history making event - yes, but I want the woman I feel is right, not just a woman is right.

- Giving me the vote is giving me the option to vote or not vote – my right and my choice. My decision to make.

- Giving me reproductive choice is giving me the option become a parent (again) or not – my right and my choice. My decision to make.

- Giving me the choice enter politics or not is giving me the option to run if I choose – my right and my choice. My decision to make.

- Giving me the choice to enter the workforce in a managerial capacity or not is giving me the option to work hard and be rewarded if I choose – my right and my choice. My decision to make.

Choosing to not vote, choosing to have a baby, choosing not to run for office, choosing to stay home with my children – these are valid choices that women make.

Having the realistic choice to become a CEO does not mean that is what I have to shoot for – having that as a viable option is the freedom I want for myself and my daughter.

I am happy to have the choice to vote for a woman or a man. I will not vote for a candidate based upon shared sexual characteristics. That is not what women have fought for, have lost fortunes for, and have lost lives for.

Having the right to choose your path is freedom. I am free to choose, and I choose Barack Obama.