My heart broke for her yesterday. Yet, I was very proud of her. The “her” is former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton. Remember her? She is the first woman ever nominated in American history for the U.S. Presidency. She is the first woman to run for the democratic nomination in 2008 and win major primaries, garnering tens of millions of votes, but ultimately losing the nomination to the hopeful young, black Senator from Illinois, Barack H. Obama. I simply cannot imagine what it felt like to stand there and watch her bitter adversary sworn in as President, when she won 3 million more popular votes than he in the general election.

I do know, however, what it feels like as a woman to be passed over when I am smarter or more qualified than a man. I know what it is like as a woman to be scrutinized in ways that men never are. I know what it is like to find out the white male associate in my firm makes more than me as a senior counsel. I know what it’s like as a woman to have other women hold me to a higher standard than a man, who has no standards at all. To not support me as their fellow sister, and work actively against me in the name of making me earn my place as they had to. We all know what Hillary was thinking yesterday. We all know how shameful it is that in the year 2017, we still have so far to go as women. The “we” are those of us of the female gender. Particularly those of us who raise our voices. Who have opinions. Who speak our minds. Who are strong. Competent. Or who unwittingly outshine our men (not intentionally so, but by virtue of our God given gifts). It is a hard pill to swallow, when we just want to use those gifts to serve, and yet we are rejected again and again.

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton had to swallow yet again that she lost the Presidency to a man, less qualified than her, and in this instance, one with zero government experience to hold the high government office he now calls his own. Men, and indeed our American culture still punishes women who know too much. Who don’t stay in their place. And Hillary Clinton is one of those women. She took a beating in public life for over the past 30 years that I have never seen done to a man. She was vilified. Called a murderer. A liar. A cold woman with an empty arranged marriage. A plotter. A deceiver. She was called the “Devil” by her political opponent. Lest we forget President Trump called her a “nasty woman” in their final debate.

She was attacked for what she wore and did not wear. For her hair. Her ankles. The bags under her eyes. She was examined and re-examined under oath by the Congress, by the Courts, and by the American people time and time again. Each time she was found without fault. Yet, it mattered not. This woman, Hillary is one that in time, we will come to see for the great national treasure she is and was. Sadly, time is something none of us ever has enough of, so I pray she will get her flowers and recognition while she is still here.

As we close the page on the political dynasty of the Clintons, and turn to a new Trumpian era, I just wanted to say thank you to Hillary Clinton for her grace and class on Inauguration day 2017. She put her country over her feelings. She put her country over politics. She put her country over protest. She showed up. She honored our traditions. And she did so with great humility and honor. Hillary Clinton is indeed a former First Lady. She is a former U.S. Senator. She is a former Secretary of State. Yet, all of the networks yesterday referred to her as “the wife of” President Bill Clinton or accompanied by “his wife”. It was insulting. And it was wrong. But it should teach the women marching in Washington today, Saturday, January 21st, that we have much more work to do. And so much farther to go before we will one day sit in the oval office.

Thank you Hillary Clinton. Because of you, one day soon a woman will be called Madam President. You did crack that highest glass ceiling. You cracked that highest “old boys club” door a little wider open. Thank you for your service. Thank you for speaking your mind. Thank you for being your mother’s daughter. Thank you for teaching your daughter and granddaughter to fight for what they believe in. To the women who supported him over you. Who said they couldn’t support another woman just because she is a woman. They missed it. And they missed it big. God bless you Hillary Clinton. You don’t have to be kicked around anymore.