Lucas –
When I declared at age 6 or 7 that I wanted to be a U.S. Senator, it didn’t strike me as anything but possible. But like so many of us – particularly women – that confidence fell away and I opted for a more conventional path: corporate law.
Still, I always questioned what I was contributing. Was I reaching my full potential?
These were the internal questions I struggled to answer when, in 1995, I heard First Lady Hillary Clinton give her iconic speech before the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women.
It was then that she proclaimed: “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.”
Her words reminded me of my childhood dreams of public service. She inspired me to get off the sidelines and engage in government to achieve the change I wanted to see.
As women, we have to continue encouraging other women to get involved in the issues they care about. So I want to hear from you: Will you share your Off The Sidelines moment – a time when you were inspired to get involved?
Click here to share your Off The Sidelines moment.
When Hillary spoke in Beijing before the United Nations, she was speaking to each of us, to let us know we have a voice – and that we must raise it.
I went to political events and raised money for candidates I believed in – including Hillary when she ran for Senate. I started to think about how I might transition from my own career to public service and, a few years later, I ran for office.
This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of Hillary's history-making call to action, and the 20th anniversary of my off the sidelines moment. I will be forever grateful to her for her encouragement, and I will continue working to inspire more young girls and women to follow their own paths, whether it’s in the boardroom, the laboratory or on the soccer field.
Will you help by sharing your own Off The Sidelines moment? Just click here to share a few brief words about what or who inspired you to raise your voice and get involved.
Thanks for being part of our movement,
Kirsten