CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Now that the Democratic National Convention has ended, Illinois Democrats say their work begins immediately to push towards a victory in November.
No matter what happens in November, history was made here. Kamala Harris is the first African American woman or Asian-American nominated for president by a major party.
But, Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a longtime female empowerment advocate, said Democrats are working hard to see that Harris crosses the finish line.
“When you say, ‘Break the glass ceiling,’ I think it feels empowering to women across the country,” Schakowsky said. “The excitement, optimism is just pretty overwhelming, which I’m so happy about. There’s so much hope.”
Clearly, Hillary Clinton, who made the unsuccessful run against Donald Trump in 2016, feels that. She made a powerful and enthusiastic rallying cry for Kamala Harris here this week.
Delegate Valerie Alexander, a behind-the-scenes political veteran, had a little girl patiently seated on her lap within the Illinois delegation. It was her granddaughter Aurora.
It would be clearly past her bedtime when Kamala Harris stepped to the podium, but Alexander said history is being made.
“My granddaughter has the opportunity to be here, to witness that history even though she’s young,” Alexander said. “I took my daughter to Philadelphia in 2016, and I thought then that there’d be an opportunity for her to see a woman elected president.”
Clinton’s run for the White House didn’t turn out as she’d hoped, so, being here this time was important to her.
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