First off. This is not a political post or endorsement. I am not a fan of Hillary nor the other fella, and I believe there are way better options out there for America. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden come to mind. 

That being said, if I were to gamble, I would put all my money down on a Hillary victory in November. Any other outcome would be an upset for the ages.

But, like I said, this is not a political post. This is a post as to why Hillary matters. And Hillary matters because of my 9-year old niece.

Assuming Hillary takes office, by the time my niece is in high school she will have grown up with a black president and a female president. No one else. Let that sink in. After more than two centuries of white middle-aged men holding arguably the second most high-profile job in the world (behind probably the Pope), my niece will only know that this job has been occupied by a minority and a woman.

Of course history will teach her different, but experience is what matters. No longer will it be, “A woman or minority CAN be President”. It will be, “A woman and a minority IS/WAS President”. My niece can truly grow up to be an adult that knows that any person can hold any job in the world, regardless of gender or race. (Hopefully equal pay will have resolved itself by the time she’s on the job hunt)

That, to me, is inspiring. Not just for her, but for all kids under the age of 10. Ask anyone over 70 if at age 10 they thought a woman or minority could be President. My guess is that 60 years ago any 10-year old would have laughed at the thought. 

Politics aside, this is why Hillary matters. Progress. Opportunity, for all the children of any race or gender, to grow up with the idea that nothing is out of reach. Any dream can become a reality.