What does Clinton’s nomination mean for US Democrats?

Democratic Party delegates say they are “thrilled” and “proud” to witness Hillary Clinton accept party’s nomination.

DNC in Philadelphia 2016
Hillary Clinton formally accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party on Thursday [EPA/Justin Lane]

Philadelphia, USA – Hillary Clinton has become the first woman to accept a major political party’s nomination for president of the United States. If the former senator and secretary of State wins the election in November, she will be the first female US president.

More than 4,700 delegates attended the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to witness Thursday’s historic moment. 

Here are some of the delegates’ thoughts on the significance of Clinton’s nomination.

Brittany MacPherson, Oregon

Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

I’m not just voting for her because she’s a woman; I’m voting for her because of so many reasons, but one huge one is because she’s a woman, because representation matters, because I can go home to my nieces next week and I can say “you can do whatever you want. You can do it”.  And that just feels so good.

Janet King, Northern Mariana Islands (with her daughter Kate Manglona)
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

I was very emotional, I was really happy because her generation will be the one that will take for granted, like Michelle Obama said, the first woman doing anything, the first woman member of Congress, the first woman president, the first CEO.  I was very happy to have her here.

Deborah Breedlove, South Carolina
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

I really feel proud. I’m challenged, though. There’s so much sexism out there. I thought racism is bad. This is so much more subtle. And we’ve got to stop people dead in their tracks when they make comments, call her names.

L. Louise Lucas, Virginia
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia[Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

I’ve been coming to national conventions for 25 years. I went to both conventions for Bill Clinton, both conventions for Barack Obama. This really brings it all full circle for me to get a first woman to be nominated as president of the United States of America … Hillary is the best qualified candidate we’ve had to run in all these years I’ve been attending national conventions.

Yasmeen Kaboud, Pennsylvania
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

I was very proud of the moment … It opens the door for so many things for me as a woman and it shatters the glass ceiling that has been hanging over the presidency. As a Bernie Sanders delegate, I’m not too thrilled or excited about a Clinton presidency, but as a woman I appreciate that she is breaking barriers.

Rodney McFarland Sr, Louisiana
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

Not only was it a historic moment, we’re thrilled. The country is moving in the right direction under the leadership of President Obama. Our nominee has more experience than the Republican nominee. She will be able to lead this country day one that she walks into the White House. Not only is it historic, it was the right thing to do.

Nancy Kaplan, Wisconsin

Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]
Delegate to the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia [Anar Virji/Al Jazeera]

It remains true that women are underrepresented in every level of government and so it’s important to get women into higher office. Having a strong and tenacious and brilliant woman like Hillary Clinton head the government will clear the path – both the mental path and the actual path – for many younger women to follow. It’s just a great day.

Source: Al Jazeera