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Monumental election for women across the nation

Posted at 12:36 AM, Jul 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-31 05:35:47-04

It is a monumental election for women across the nation, as Hillary Clinton becomes the first female presidential nominee of a major party.

“This shows that any woman can be whatever they want to be, and that they do have the chance to be the President of the United States,” said 78-year-old Hillary Clinton supporter Leola Johnson.

It’s a day Johnson has waited a long time to witness. “I really did think that the day would come that a woman could be the President… I’m just happy that I lived to see it."

South Carolina native Darlene Grist can’t stop smiling at the thought of having a female President. “If a black man can become a President, why can’t a woman?” said Grist. “It’s about time… and the time is here!”

Grist thinks Clinton’s nomination is a step forward for equality in the workplace, something she has not experienced in the past.

“I always have gotten paid less than men,” said Grist. “I worked for the Board of Education. My husband and I worked for the Board of Education. I was a bus aide, he was a bus aide. But men always have gotten paid more than women.”

Women make up 51 percent of the United States population, according to Executive Director of Western New York’s Women’s Foundation, Sheri Scavone. Many of them believe this election will give new hope to the younger generation.

“We look forward to seeing our daughters eyes grow big when we tell them that they might too run for our Nation’s highest office one day,” said Scavone. "To see a woman as President of the United States will completely change their perception of what they can be.”

It’s been almost 100 years since women were granted the right to vote. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who represents New York’s 25th Congressional District, thinks it’s about time we have a female President.

“For a lot of us it’s about time because we represent the group of people that thought forever women should take a proper place in the government,” said Congresswoman Slaughter.