In the 2004 presidential election, 8.8 million more women voted than men. That number is going to be even greater in 2008. Over the past eight years, we have seen a growing trend in the woman’s role as voter in major elections. However, it is becoming even more apparent how powerful women are in the current election. You can tell this just by comparing their speeches at this Democratic National Convention. Being that the convention also took place during the 88th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, it was only fitting that powerful women such as Michelle Obama, Lilly Ledbetter, Nancy Pelosi, and Hilary Clinton took the podium to highlight change, the past, the future, and uplift each other. But what do these women symbolize?

Michelle Obama has emerged as a very influential woman over the past year. It was her speech that moved me and many others the most. Michelle and Barack together symbolize a willingness and determination to change and a younger era of change. But alone, Michelle depicts a modern day woman. She seems to be able to juggle the role of mother, wife, and career woman effortlessly. She said it best in her convention speech, that you should work hard for what you want in life, let your word be your bond and to treat people with dignity and respect.

Nancy Pelosi was another favorite of the night for me . Here we have a woman who has survived in a world dominated by males. In her speech, she talked about renewed opportunities and promoting innovation. Pelosi has done just this for many young women; she has renewed opportunities that were unheard of 88 years ago.

Since her announcement to run for the position of the United States highest official, Hilary
Clinton has battled many obstacles including dealing with sexism in the media. However, she possesses a strength that even many males don’t have. She fought all the way to the end in hopes to gain the democratic nomination. Her compassion throughout her campaign, even the tears she shed, showed her fearlessness as a woman.

Mother. Wives. Americans. The women of the Democratic National Convention embody all of this. They are women who have used where they came from to better themselves. These women don’t just believe in change, they are change. Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg said it best when she quoted Katherine Lee Bates line from America the Beautiful, “O beautiful, for patriot dream, that see beyond our years.” Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Hilary Clinton, Lily Ledbetter and others are beautiful patriots that have opened doors for women that are to come for years.