Give voice to justice

Did you hear the sound of shattering glass this week? It doesn't matter which political party you're in or what your feelings about any of the candidates—something historic happened this week. It's the first time in U.S. history that a woman became a presidential nominee for a major political party.

I've spent so much of my life and energy fighting for women to be at the table, and I'm so aware of women across the globe who don't even have half the rights we've slowly gained here in the U.S.

I also keep thinking of my beloved mother, who left this earth in 2008. When she was born, women didn't even have the right to vote here in the U.S. And although she was a staunch Republican, I think she would have been elated to hear the sound of a glass ceiling shattered by Hillary Clinton Tuesday night, too. She always wanted my sister and me to have any opportunities we could and didn't want barriers to be put in our way.

This week has been one of reflection for me. We women have come a long way. On the other hand, things should never have been the way they were in the first place. Injustice everywhere. African Americans enslaved. No rights at all. Women unable to vote. The poor falling between the cracks. Struggling so hard just to get rights that should have been there in the beginning. But that's life, isn't it? When justice is important to us, we just keep speaking up and working to change the systems—and we don't just do it for ourselves. We do it for others, too, particularly those who have no voice. That's using our personal power for good in the world.

Who needs your voice today? What will you do about it?