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Democratic woman delegates reflect on historic night

  • 'Our mothers would be proud … It’s an amazing day,’’ said Martha Landing (left) with Thelma Sias, delegates from Wisconsin.

    'Our mothers would be proud … It’s an amazing day,’’ said Martha Landing (left) with Thelma Sias, delegates from Wisconsin. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • Congresswoman Alma Adams from 12th District in North Carolina said she knows a lot about being the ''first'' woman to achieve something. She said Clinton has done a lot for women and has created opportunities for women to move forward.

    Congresswoman Alma Adams from 12th District in North Carolina said she knows a lot about being the ''first'' woman to achieve something. She said Clinton has done a lot for women and has created opportunities for women to move forward. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''I’m a 65 year old woman and I remember my grandmother told me stories about how her mother could not vote.'' said Sheryl Abshire, a delegate from Lake Charles, Louisana. ''It means a great deal to me.'' (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

    ''I’m a 65 year old woman and I remember my grandmother told me stories about how her mother could not vote.'' said Sheryl Abshire, a delegate from Lake Charles, Louisana. ''It means a great deal to me.'' (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''The nomination is a dream come true for me as a woman,'' said Dr. Leonarda Duran (center), president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida and a delegate from Miami.

    ''The nomination is a dream come true for me as a woman,'' said Dr. Leonarda Duran (center), president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida and a delegate from Miami. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''I’m over the moon,'' said Diana Carpenter Madoshi, a delegate from Rockland, Calf. ''We’re breaking the damn barriers.''

    ''I’m over the moon,'' said Diana Carpenter Madoshi, a delegate from Rockland, Calf. ''We’re breaking the damn barriers.'' (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''Women bring a new voice and diversity into politics that I think is essential,'' said Jessica Bright, a delegate from Walterboro, South Carolina.

    ''Women bring a new voice and diversity into politics that I think is essential,'' said Jessica Bright, a delegate from Walterboro, South Carolina. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • South Carolina Senator Margie Bright Matthews (right) and Marguerite Willis. Matthews said nominating Hillary Clinton means everything to her, not only because she is a woman, but because she is so qualified.

    South Carolina Senator Margie Bright Matthews (right) and Marguerite Willis. Matthews said nominating Hillary Clinton means everything to her, not only because she is a woman, but because she is so qualified. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • Historic night at DNC''This is history. I was so fortunate to be here in ’08 for President Obama and now I am here again,'' said Lavoen Bracey, a delegate from Orlando, Florida.

    Historic night at DNC''This is history. I was so fortunate to be here in ’08 for President Obama and now I am here again,'' said Lavoen Bracey, a delegate from Orlando, Florida. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''We’ve been fighting for Hillary to represent us for a very long time,'' said Jan Kallish, a delegate from Chicago. ''It means everything to me.''

    ''We’ve been fighting for Hillary to represent us for a very long time,'' said Jan Kallish, a delegate from Chicago. ''It means everything to me.'' (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''We’re young delegates. We haven’t been waiting our whole lives for this, but it is still an amazing opportunity,'' said Jordan Tannenbaum (center) with Yasmeen Kaboud (left), delegates and Senator Bernie Sanders supporters from Philadelphia, Pa.

    ''We’re young delegates. We haven’t been waiting our whole lives for this, but it is still an amazing opportunity,'' said Jordan Tannenbaum (center) with Yasmeen Kaboud (left), delegates and Senator Bernie Sanders supporters from Philadelphia, Pa. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''We’re finishing the job. We’re getting her into office,'' said Colorado delegate Sonya Jaquez Lewis (center) with Kathleen Ensz.

    ''We’re finishing the job. We’re getting her into office,'' said Colorado delegate Sonya Jaquez Lewis (center) with Kathleen Ensz. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • Carmen Cabrera (left) and Nancy Kaplan, delegates from Wisconsin. ''For me, this is personal and moving,” said Kaplan.

    Carmen Cabrera (left) and Nancy Kaplan, delegates from Wisconsin. ''For me, this is personal and moving,” said Kaplan.(Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

  • ''This is a proud moment in history for women and for the future of our country,'' said Kim Bowman (center) with Nd Ubezonu (right), staffers for Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

    ''This is a proud moment in history for women and for the future of our country,'' said Kim Bowman (center) with Nd Ubezonu (right), staffers for Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. (Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY)

On a historic night at the Democratic National Convention where Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate of a major party, we asked women delegates a simple question: What does it mean to you?

On a historic night at the Democratic National Convention where Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate of a major U.S. party, we asked women delegates a simple question: What does it mean to you?

There were some deep sighs, tears, and shouts of joy. Many delegates mentioned their own mothers, grandmothers, and heroes who came before them, like Eleanor Roosevelt and Shirley Chisholm.

Nancy Kaplan, a delegate from Wisconsin, said she and Clinton are about the same age.

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“When I was a young adult I could’t get credit in my own name. I needed a signature from a husband or a father. Abortion was illegal and birth control was difficult to obtain. I have seen all those thing begin to change for most women, but it was a struggle. We are still underrepresented in every governing and judicial body. For me, this is personal and moving.”

To read other responses and reflections from Democratic delegates, peruse through the gallery above.

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