Barbara - Bronxville

Hillary Clinton inspired me long before she threw her hat into the2008 Presidential race.

I moved to Tokyo in 1992, just as President Clinton was taking office. While there I worked as an intern at CNN. I also taught English and I attended Sophia University where I studied International Relations. Then First Lady Clinton’s address to the Women’s Conference in Beijing made a huge impact on me because of her famous words that echoed throughout the region and the world. “human rights are women's rights - and women's rights are human rights.”

Upon my return to the United States in 1997—I was more determined than ever to work for the United Nations. As someone that believed in the work of the organization, I also believed that it was the work of so many that gave equal voice to so many. It is the house where we all live and work together—without regard to our faith, ethnicity, race or gender. Much of that credit goes to Eleanor Roosevelt’s work with the United Nations. The U.N. is a testament to a house that has balance and harmony—not unlike Val Kill.

We are all Eleanor Roosevelt’s students by osmosis-- whether we realize it or not. She has taught us in the most beautiful way—she has inspired others and they have used their gift of knowledge and inspiration to educate and inspire. They have learned her inspiration and language of humanity. Some students of Eleanor’s have gone on to have great impact in this world. They have worn her words and wisdom like beacons of hope and courage. Hillary Clinton has been one such woman that has embodied everything that Eleanor Roosevelt inspired and more. When I returned to the U.S. I could not work for the United Nations because I did not have the required Masters degree needed for most of the jobs. New to New York, broke and without a job---I worked hard till I earned my Masters in Public Service from New York University. In my last year I was working on a project at the United Nations. New York also had accepted Hillary Clinton as their Junior Senator—I had proudly voted for her.

Personally and professionally in the Spring of 2001 I was getting ready to interview to work at the United Nations in the Fall of 2001—since I had been laid off of my full-time job. I had been working while I was in graduate school. But the recession hit the New York economy hard. Senator Clinton stepped right up to help New Yorkers. Then in the Fall of 2001 we faced the awful tragedy of the attack on the World Trade Center. Again, then, Senator Clinton—without fail helped us all. She inspired so many with her hard work and determination. She thought of everyone facing difficult times—and did what she could to put herself in our shoes to be our advocate.

As I sit here and write this today—I need to note that it is Memorial Day. I am a pretty patriotic person. I know most Americans are. Something happens to you when you have lived overseas and you have gone through the experience of a tragedy like September 11th —Your country looks different it seems. More so than you ever knew it could to you. During times away from home and tragedies you find strength to carry on—but there are days when you turn to others to help you. I see Hillary Clinton like a Soldier—that I honour today. While I know her service does not compare to that of someone in our military—her dedication, loyalty and sacrifice have been just as commendable. She has fought hard for so many. Senator Clinton was there on days when it seemed like New York was not going to survive. When she came through on those days it always took me back to the speech she gave in Beijing. It reminded me of the hope she must have given to so many women that needed a lighthouse of strength to guide and reassure them that there is a safe shore. A place where their voices are heard-- and they are equal. I eventually found work, but the economy was still so difficult following 9/11 that it was not until the Fall of 2004. I had been working at my new job for a little over a year and I was up for a promotion. Things were looking up. I had health insurance and a new office. The city was beginning to come back. Granted it was not a job at the United Nations (or even in International Relations) so I was still keeping my options open. But of course I was holding onto my job. On February 5th 2005 I had an accident while I was out with friends –I came off of a horse. I was life flighted to the hospital from the John Jay homestead in Westchester New York. I had a subdural hematoma the size of a tennis ball. I was in a coma and when I came out of the coma the nurse said, “Welcome back Barbara, you are in the same hospital where President Clinton had his first open heart surgery.” (I knew I must be in a safe place when I heard the name Clinton. )

After months of recovery –I began to become familiar with our health care system. By this time the Presidential Primaries were gearing up. So was I –I realized that our health care system was really broken—I knew it intimately now. I also knew of all of Senator Clinton’s work for New York, Women, and Human Rights—and health care. Since I was still going through rehab for my injuries I wondered if I could work for her campaign. I attended one of her events at the Pier in the city. She came out with Chelsea and Bill. The microphone was not working at all as she began to speak. She made a joke “that the republicans must be behind it.” And then Bill and others helped to fix it. She then spoke seriously about how great women never give up (making reference to the mic again). She spoke of Harriet Tubman. She told the story of how Harriet would continue to help free one more person on the underground railroad –even when she was so tired and things were not working as planned—she would go back and get another one. Sometimes at great risk to herself.

The story was so inspiring to me because I was an African-American Studies student in University and I had just been struggling with my own rehab. As someone that used to be a long-distance runner –prior to my accident—I was trying to get back into it again. A couple weeks after I heard Senator Clinton give this speech I was waking in my apartment on Wall Street. I had entered a race in Central Park. An all women’s race called the New York Mini. That morning I thought to myself—“Oh Lord I just can’t do it—I can’t get myself up to the park to run 6 miles. I am not in shape and I am not motivated." Well I lied there in bed and I heard the words that Senator Clinton said come echoing back to me. I knew I had to get out of bed because the New York Mini was a race all about how women had broke the athletic barriers in running.

And the year was 2008 and here we had a woman running for President. So I got out of bed and I made myself get up to the park. For Hillary and also because Hillary had reminded me that strong women like Harriet Tubman did not give up. I rushed past Columbus Circle and I just made the start of the race and the blow of the horn.

While running I also remembered that the third race of the Triple Crown was being run that day too. Since I love horses it was always fun for me to watch the Triple Crown horse races. This one was special because it had a filly up against all colts. They never allow fillies to run against colts. Her name was Rags to Riches. I wondered—as I ran—if she would beat them. As I ran on that hot day –I admit I wanted to leave the course—I was not in shape and it was hot. But I kept thinking of Senator Clinton and the Presidential race ahead of her. I wondered how I could help in the months to come—I thought if she could take on that race I can finish this damn race. I came to mile five and I was slowly going up a hill when I saw an African-American woman off to my left. She looked like she was thinking of pulling out. So I said to her “Hang in there.” She replied, “Oh No I am going home!” She was about ready to step off the course.

I then firmly responded, “Don’t you dare—you have come this far—and look we are about to turn a corner and it is shady and down hill. C’mon I will finish it with you!” She looked at me and could see I was right and turned her body and stayed on course with me. I am not sure I would have found the strength to be so bold with someone I hardly knew if someone like Hillary Clinton had not helped me stay on course.

As the woman and I finished the race we spoke as we completed the last mile. We had a good time getting to know one another. She spoke of how hot it was and said it reminded her of when she was a little girl and the heat down South in North Carolina. Her Mother used to take her to her Uncles farm when she was a little girl. She remembered the train and how it was segregated, but the train conductor treated her just fine.

As we crossed the finish line I turned to my new friend and I apologized, I said “I am sorry I never introduced myself to her.” She also apologized for the same reason. She was so thrilled –because she finished—she was smiling so broadly.” I said my name is Barbara”—she said, “Oh Barbara it is so nice to meet you –thank you for making me stay in –my name is Harriet!” And I thought to myself of her train story and her name, and of Senator Clinton’s inspirational story of Harriet Tubman and what got me to the park that morning –and I wanted to say to her—of course your name is Harriet. But I didn’t . I just smiled and found my way home. I continued to sign up for all that I could do to help Senator Clinton become President Clinton.

(Oh just as a note the filly named Rags to Riches that ran in the Belmont in the third race of the triple crown that year—she beat all the colts to win her race. )

I did a variety of things for Senator Clinton. I called people from the campaign office in New York City and my home. I travelled to Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Washington D.C. . I sponsored rallies for her and promoted her on my website www.thirdwavewomen.org. Most of these rallies and my website generated a lot of press. The press came out to interview me after or before each rally. I blogged and sent in op ed. pieces to a variety of newspapers. I went to rallies in the city. I donated money. I networked all across the United States by posting notices for events where women could come together for events I called “Women’s Day and Unity events.” (the Unity Event was before -and different to- the event after the primary) One of my events was a rally in D.C. for women –I called it the “Break the Glass Ceiling” event. (also before her speech) Where I posted a notice to ask other women to come to D.C. to stand in front of the White House with me like the Silent Sentinels did when they asked Wilson for equality for the vote. I asked women to come out to ask America to vote for Hillary –to break the glass ceiling—and vote for the first woman for President. I called those that attended this rally –“21st Century Sentinels.” I gave them each a purple sash that said this on it. The day after the demonstration/rally—I saw Senator Clinton and I was able to hand her a sash too (to let her know it took place).

Currently, I am now in a holding pattern because of the economy and my rehab as well. Inspiration has a long-lasting staying power. Now Secretary of State Clinton’s is not in the spotlight-- as she had been in the last couple years—but when she does make the news—she is just as inspiring as she always was to me. She reaffirms why every woman should never give up—and always finish the race to the best of her ability. And above all let others know that you are there guiding them in with support .