This morning I donned my pantsuit and proudly cast my vote for Hillary. I wore a necklace, given to me by my grandmother who was born before women even had the right to vote. I did it for all of the women (and men) who fought for that right, but never realized it themselves. I voted for my cousin, whom I love fiercely but a large portion of society oppresses because of who she loves. I voted for my son who fights chronic disease and is afraid of not having health insurance. I voted for my husband, who represents decent men who would never dream of treating a woman with vulgar disrespect. I voted for everyone who’s ever had a free/reduced lunch and knows what government cheese is (and what it tastes like). I voted for everyone who needed a little help pulling up their bootstraps. I voted for everyone who’s ever had a dream and did not quit, no matter how impossible it seemed. I voted for everyone who has risen to the level of the bar that was set for them….especially those for whom nobody bothered to set a bar. I voted for women everywhere who experience misogyny and oppression in the workplace every day. I voted because I believe that all lives matter when black lives matter. I voted because in 1998, I suffered an ectopic pregnancy that, in a world where Roe v Wade didn’t exist, would have killed me. I voted for people who came to this country in pursuit of a dream, whether it was 200 years ago or 2 days ago. And, I voted for the people who serve and protect that dream.