The XX Factor: Slate women blog about politics, etc...

Thanking Hillary, Too

Our feminist heart strings are really being pulled, aren't they? Hillary welling up yesterday (which I agree with your take on, Melinda), Gloria Steinem reminding us that women candidates still face big meaningful obstacles that men don't—even black men—and this clip from a Clinton campaign event in which she had to contend with some idiot screaming "Iron my shirt!" I've heard three smart women say in the last few days that they are thinking and thinking again about Hillary's candidacy. That is a good thing. However we all end up voting, and whether or not that choice comes down to our feelings about gender and inequality, all of this bears much more attention and analysis. I feel like I'm only beginning to sort through my own reactions. But at the moment, what's paramount is a feeling of gratitude toward Hillary, for going first, which is never easy and in her case is looking awfully thankless.