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William769

(55,144 posts)
Sat Jan 9, 2016, 01:40 PM Jan 2016

A father wrote a letter to his daughters about electing the first woman president. It's beautiful.



He is fighting to make sure nothing stands in the way of his daughters’ achieving their dreams.



Dear Bethany and Jordan Grace,


I know, I know. You’re used to hearing your dad say that as long as you work hard and have faith, nothing is impossible. But sometimes it can be hard to even dream of doing something nobody like you has ever done. Trust me, I know.

Growing up, I never expected to see a politician who looked like me become president. But in 2008, I watched in awe as Barack Obama ascended to the highest political office in the country.

Now, I’ve always believed in my ability to do whatever I set my mind to. Grandma and Papa did a very good job of instilling that in me, from the time I was your age. But when President Obama took office, I felt like I really could do anything—truly, in a tangible way I could feel in my heart.


Two years later, Columbia elected me as the first African American mayor in the city’s history.


I could never have gotten to where I am if people didn’t kick down some doors ahead of me. Because of that, I feel a duty to kick down doors for other people.

When I was 29, Governor Hodges appointed me to his cabinet. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I used my position to lift up voices that weren't being heard.

I worked hard while there to bring as many women as possible onto my staff. At one point we had an all-female staff, and many of those women have gone on to do remarkable things.

I did that for you two. I wanted to do everything I could to make the world a better place for you, even before you were born.

Of course, both of you know women are capable of accomplishing anything. Your mother is the perfect example of that. But sometimes, things you can’t control block you from achieving your dreams.

I don’t want you girls to have to wait until you’re an adult to have the feeling I had in 2008. I want you to grow up knowing—not just believing, but KNOWING—you can be anything you want, even president of the United States.


That’s one of the reasons I’m working so hard to get Hillary Clinton elected.


Bethie, getting to watch you talk with Hillary was one of the proudest moments of my life. I will never forget the look on Secretary Clinton’s face when you told her guys had been president for long enough, and it was time for women to take control. She called you the smartest 10-year-old in the world, and she was right.

Jojo, I know you haven’t met her yet, but don’t worry—I’m working on it.

I want both of you girls to grow up in a better, safer, more prosperous country. I know Secretary Clinton can—and will—build that country.

If you study hard, love your family, serve your community, are never afraid to lead, and continue to follow the model of your mother, your grandmothers, and women like Secretary Clinton, nothing should ever stop you from achieving your dreams.

I am doing everything I can to put a woman in the White House because I believe both of you can grow up to be president—and I want you to believe it, too.


Love,



Dad


Steve Benjamin is the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina and the president of the African American Mayors Association.

https://www.hillaryclinton.com/feed/mayor-benjamin-letter/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=tw&utm_campaign=20160109feed-mayorletter
12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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A father wrote a letter to his daughters about electing the first woman president. It's beautiful. (Original Post) William769 Jan 2016 OP
What a beautiful letter! leftofcool Jan 2016 #1
WONDERFUL Iliyah Jan 2016 #2
Wow, I hope those girls realize how lucky they are and how proud they should be of their Dad. UtahLib Jan 2016 #3
Such a wonderful family.. so inspiring, UtahLib~ Cha Jan 2016 #10
k&r Starry Messenger Jan 2016 #4
What an amazing father.. what a fortunate family! The letter he's written to his Cha Jan 2016 #5
K&R. Just wonderful! I can't wait to see the look on little girls eyes when they see Hillary elected lunamagica Jan 2016 #6
k&r brer cat Jan 2016 #7
Why is everything suddenly blurred? NastyRiffraff Jan 2016 #8
Yes, they are, NR.. that was my first thought.. Fortunate to have such a loving brilliant Cha Jan 2016 #9
K & R SunSeeker Jan 2016 #11
KICK for this beautiful letter from the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina to his sweet daughters. Cha Jan 2016 #12

Cha

(297,029 posts)
5. What an amazing father.. what a fortunate family! The letter he's written to his
Sat Jan 9, 2016, 01:58 PM
Jan 2016

daughters is incredibly inspiring to us all. It's so cool that he acknowledges how inspirational President Obama was to him and now Hillary is to his daughters. It's true. It will be a sea change.

Look at his daughters.. they're so beautiful!

Thank you, William for this great endorsement for Hillary from Mayor Steve Benjamin.. who is also President of the African American Mayors!

lunamagica

(9,967 posts)
6. K&R. Just wonderful! I can't wait to see the look on little girls eyes when they see Hillary elected
Sat Jan 9, 2016, 02:14 PM
Jan 2016

It will be such a huge boost for girl's self esteem to have a woman achieve the highers position in the land.

When I was a child growing up, a female POTUS was just a fantasy. And we are so close, so close now.

Just imagine for these girls, and all girls in America, having a woman POTUS being the reality they grow up with?

just AWESOME!

Thank you Dad, for writing and publishing this letter.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
8. Why is everything suddenly blurred?
Sat Jan 9, 2016, 02:56 PM
Jan 2016

Yeah, I'm tearing up. That was wonderful. Those girls are very very lucky to have a dad like that.

Cha

(297,029 posts)
12. KICK for this beautiful letter from the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina to his sweet daughters.
Tue Jan 12, 2016, 04:15 AM
Jan 2016

Mahalo William~

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