Clinton Nomination Inspires Young Girls' Ambitions
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RICHARDSON (CBS11) - Whatever your political preference, no one can deny the historic impact of Hillary Clinton becoming the first woman presidential nominee for a major party.
It comes as an inspiring step forward for many women and girls.
Six-year-old Brianna Henry can relate to the story of young Hillary Clinton's childhood dreams.
"In the early 1960s the United States is working to send astronauts to the moon," Brianna read from her children's book on Clinton. "A young girl looks up at the stars. She writes a letter to NASA and volunteers to be an astronaut."
But that childhood story takes a disappointing turn.
"And got a letter back from NASA saying that they don't accept girls into the space program," Brianna's grandmother Robin Smith said.
Smith bought her granddaughter that book after spending most of her career working in human resources trying to improve opportunities for women. As the family watched Clinton accept her party's nomination for president Thursday night, one part stood out.
"Standing here as my mother's daughter, and my daughter's mother, I'm so happy this day has come. Happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between," Clinton said in her speech.
"Oh, I started crying. I get very emotional about it," Smith explained.
Smith says while younger generations may not have lived through all of the challenges she has seen, she hopes young women will feel emboldened by this turning point.
"You want to be able to plant that seed for this generation. I mean, the fact that they can see that that's a possibility I think makes a huge difference," Smith said.
For Brianna, tales of space dreams unmet won't stop her from dreaming even bigger.
"I want to become a president when I grow up, too," Brianna said, "Sometimes you can make things change in the world, so that's what I want to do."
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