Stronger Together by Jennifer Mcclellan
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STRONGER TOGETHER BY JENNIFER MCCLELLAN It all started with a phone call. In 1992, as President of the accomplishments in both offices were many. University of Richmond Young Democrats, I worked with the Twenty four years after that phone call at the University of Clinton/Gore campaign advance team in preparation for the Richmond, I had a front row seat to see Hillary Clinton shatter Presidential Debate. I was on my way to a rally to introduce the another glass ceiling by accepting the Democratic Party nomination Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia when the phone rang. for President of the United States. As the mother of a one year old Hillary Clinton wanted to invite a student to sit with her at the daughter, I cried tears of joy not only because of what Hillary had debate, and the campaign suggested me. I was elated! accomplished, but because of its significance. That night started my journey as a Democratic Party activist Accepting the nomination, she stated, “When there are no and eventually led me to run for office myself. Over the course of ceilings, the sky’s the limit.” the next 24 years, Hillary was a role model, proving women could That is one legacy she has left for my daughter: succeed in politics and government. As First Lady, she shattered The sky is the limit. expectations by spearheading health care reform, resulting in the Hillary also outlined her vision for an America that is stronger creation of the successful Children’s Health Insurance Program together, thrives when the middle class thrives, and where Wall that covers 8 million kids today. She rallied a generation of women Street can never wreck Main Street again. at the U.N. Fourth Conference on Women in Beijing by declaring The Democratic National Convention took on added personal “human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human significance when Senator Tim Kaine became the nominee for rights.” She became the first woman to serve as U.S. Senator from Vice President. I first met Tim when he was my Richmond City New York, and the third woman to serve as Secretary of State. Her 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 Senator Tim Kaine and Anne Holton breakfast that morning. Continued on next page VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNECTIONS, FALL 2016 6.