In the nearly five months since the presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has kept a relatively low profile. On Thursday, she gave her first interview. The aftermath of the election was so devastating, and everything that has come to light in the days and weeks since have been also troubling. So I just had to make up my mind that yes, I was going to get out of bed, and yes, I was going to go for a lot of long walks in the woods, and I was going to see my grandchildren a lot and spend time with my family and my friends.
So, I'm OK. I mean, that just has to be admitted. And why and what the underlying reasons were is what I'm trying to parse out myself. And you layer on the first woman president over that and I think some people, women included, had real problems. With men, success and ambition are correlated with likability, so the more successful a man is, the more likable he is.
With a women, it's the exact opposite. She thought the photo of men discussing how they planned to obliterate women's health care was pretty ridiculous, too. Take criticism seriously, but not personally. I am always open to people saying, 'Oh, you should have done that. So I take it seriously, but I don't any longer Because part of the attacks, the personal attacks, part of the bullying, part of the name-calling that has certainly become much more pervasive because of the internet, is to crush your spirit and to make you feel inadequate; to make you doubt yourself.
And I just refuse to do that. I don't think that will include ever running for office again. I think there are lots of ways to make a difference, to work in all sectors of our society β the for-profit, the not-for profit β looking for ways that you can help people live their own lives better, tell their own stories better.
I am committed to the unfinished business of the 21st century: the rights of women and girls. Statistically speaking, the number of humans who have traveled into space is insignificant. But the experience of leaving our home planet and venturing into the great beyond is incredibly significant for the individuals who have actually done it.
