Hillary Clinton is a woman.

This campaign season has been personally momentous. The stakes and the candidates made me do this season what no other campaign season compelled me to do—get involved. I have always voted. I realized that in this primary, however, voting was not enough. I had to act.

I have a deep respect and admiration for Senator Clinton and her work on behalf of women and on behalf of those often marginalized by traditional government. After reviewing the political platforms of both candidates and examining their track record, I easily decided to give Senator Clinton my full support. She is the best candidate for the Democratic Party and for the nation.
The compelling moment of action came the day after Super Tuesday when I took a hard look at the situation and decided I had to do something. Though Senator Clinton was not a loser in the contest, I saw how the media propelled a messianic momentum in support of Barack Obama. I saw how the media bias bordered on yellow journalism. The media was taking the choice out of the contest, in favor of Obama. I saw how everyone walked on egg shells to avoid racist or perceived racist comments, but no one feared making sexist comments. Pundits and politicians alike made reference to Senator Clinton’s gender and sex in stereotypical and, thus, harmful ways. Why is sexism not treated as seriously as racism? I had to speak out.

I am appalled at how unfairly Senator Clinton has been treated in the media. She is often treated without respect by opposing candidates’ supporters and by the media just because she is a woman. Women are often held in less esteem than men, unless they are nicely and safely compartmentalized in their roles of mother and wife. I can relate because I have experienced this in my own life. But Hillary Rodham Clinton has always maintained her focus and dignity in the face of these misogynistic attacks. Statistics prove that women are more than half the world’s population; the United States is included in this. Chile and Argentina, two countries strongly influenced by a pervading strain of “machismo”, elected women leaders. What is stopping the US? Studies show that 2/3 of the work needed to keep the world going is done by the unpaid labor of women. Women’s work keeps the world operating, yet it is consistently undervalued compared to men’s work.

Hillary Clinton’s work has made the world a better place. She is the woman who coined the phrase "women's rights are human rights" at the 1995 United Nations Decade of Women Conference at Beijing. She has traveled throughout the world attempting to provide better lives and better healthcare to the families of the world and the US. By helping the world’s women and the world’s families, she is laying down a firm foundation for transforming the world for the better.

Look how she has already projected a very humane and better future for all people in the United States and humanity in general. The measure and human quality of her character is illustrated in her response to the crisis of the death of the Dallas patrolman from her motorcade. She cancelled her political rally to accompany the family to the hospital. The rally was about business as usual—trying to win. Stopping the rally was about privileging humanity over winning. She chose to honor life.

We are not just electing a national president, but a global leader. The eyes of the whole world are at this time on the United States because people around the world expect a high moral standard from the US. That is what she showed. She won not just my head, but my heart as well. I know I can count on Hillary Clinton putting humanity above personal “gain”.

March is Women’s History month—a perfect time to reflect on what women have contributed to our world and to recognize the accomplishments women continue to bestow upon us today. It is also a time to recognize how sexism is clouding our judgement--or lack of judgement on--Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton is more than 35 years experience, more than the first first lady who walked in a gay pride parade, more than the only candidate to have a plan to cover all Americans under universal healthcare. Hillary Clinton is a strong, capable, and compassionate woman---Yes, she is a woman!!