qm_fall_2016

Stronger Together By Jennifer M c Clellan

It all started with a phone call. In 1992, as President of the University of Richmond Young Democrats, I worked with the Clinton/Gore campaign advance team in preparation for the Presidential Debate. I was on my way to a rally to introduce the Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia when the phone rang. Hillary Clinton wanted to invite a student to sit with her at the debate, and the campaign suggested me. I was elated! That night started my journey as a Democratic Party activist and eventually led me to run for office myself. Over the course of the next 24 years, Hillary was a role model, proving women could succeed in politics and government. As First Lady, she shattered expectations by spearheading health care reform, resulting in the creation of the successful Children’s Health Insurance Program that covers 8 million kids today. She rallied a generation of women at the U.N. Fourth Conference on Women in Beijing by declaring “human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.” She became the first woman to serve as U.S. Senator from New York, and the third woman to serve as Secretary of State. Her

accomplishments in both offices were many. Twenty four years after that phone call at the University of Richmond, I had a front row seat to see Hillary Clinton shatter another glass ceiling by accepting the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States. As the mother of a one year old daughter, I cried tears of joy not only because of what Hillary had accomplished, but because of its significance. Accepting the nomination, she stated, “When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.” That is one legacy she has left for my daughter: The sky is the limit. Hillary also outlined her vision for an America that is stronger together, thrives when the middle class thrives, and where Wall Street can never wreck Main Street again. The Democratic National Convention took on added personal significance when Senator Tim Kaine became the nominee for Vice President. I first met Tim when he was my Richmond City Councilman and Mayor. We became friends when he ran for Lieutenant Governor. One night before the election, as Chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Committee, I drove across the District to attend three GOTV rallies with the Warner-Kaine- McEachin ticket. As we ended the evening in Portsmouth, Tim realized I was driving by myself. He decided to ride back with me. We talked about everything from baseball, to our favorite books, to politics and government, to my own future goals. From that day forward, Tim has been my mentor and friend. I was proud to not only be elected to the House of Delegates the same day Tim Kaine was elected Governor, but to be his delegate. We worked together on issues from energy, sexual and domestic violence, and education. Dave and I were also fortunate to join the ranks of couples who had Tim Kaine officiate our wedding. Despite all of his accomplishments, Tim Kaine has remained the kindest, most humble public servant I know. The Virginia delegation was thrilled so see him introduced to the rest of America at the convention. And yet, it was pretty surreal to see him surrounded by Secret Service as he visited the Virginia Delegation breakfast that morning. Continued on next page

Senator Tim Kaine and Anne Holton

V irginia C apitol C onnections , F all 2016

6