"If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire … if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores…if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote…if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time … if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream … and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love…then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.
Because in the end, more than anything else, that is the story of this country – the story of unwavering hope grounded in unyielding struggle."
Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC yesterday moved me, and many others, to tears.
Watching her started me thinking about the women in my life (or who I get to watch speak, or who I get to read about) who inspire me. Michelle Obama is one of my heroes. So is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And my former French professor, Lorie. And my current Civil Procedure professor, Professor Coleman. And my mom. Definitely.
I want to talk about these amazing women who have done amazing things. Who have forged paths for women like me, who were pioneers for women in "men's professions," and who have accomplished great things... all while raising children.
Michelle Obama-- mother of two girls and First Lady of the United States. As a lawyer, she advocated for low-income families and worked in the public sector. She manages to balance her very public life as First Lady with her self-described job as "mom-in-chief." If Michelle Obama can find a balance in her life between her job and her children, I can, too. Thank you, Mrs. Obama.
An excerpt from the Biography article on Justice Ginsburg:
At Harvard, Ruth learned to balance life as a mother and her new role as a law student. She also encountered a very male-dominated, hostile environment, with only eight females in her class of 500. The women were chided by the law school's dean for taking the places of qualified males. But Ruth pressed on and excelled academically, eventually becoming the first female member of the prestigious legal journal, the Harvard Law Review.
Justice Ginsburg did it. At Harvard, no less. As a pioneer for women in the legal profession. All I have to do is get through law school. Thank you for paving this road, Justice Ginsburg.
Lorie taught me to work hard. To find time for things I love, but at the end of the day, to just do what needs to be done, step by step. Lorie worked on and received her PhD while raising her two (wonderful) girls. Thank you, Lorie, for showing me that we CAN do anything we set our minds to- step by step.
Professor Coleman is a force to be reckoned with. One of the first things she said to me was about the importance of maintaining professionalism while balancing the obligations of being a mother, a woman, and an attorney. I don't know much about her other than what I've read about her (and I've read a LOT-- she is amazing.) But I look forward to learning much from her not only about Civil Procedure, but about balance as well. I look forward to each and every class, Professor. Thank you for what you have done in these three weeks thus far, and what you will do this semester.
And my mommy. Who raised two (pretty cool) girls who love to explore, to learn, to help others. She instilled compassion in us, taught us to empathize with others, and taught us to honor our families and traditions. And she did it all by herself. I hope I can be just the tiniest bit the kind of mother she is. Thank you for everything, mommy.
Thinking about what these great women have achieved gives me strength and courage to know that I can do this. It's been done before, and I can do it again. Step-by-step.
(And having an amazing, supportive husband doesn't hurt, either. I'll love you forever, Dan. Thank you.)
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