My support of Hillary Clinton in this election is a direct result of my life’s unexpected journey that put me in unique situations in WDC government circles for the past 15 years. This provided me with what I believe to be “providential” opportunities and experiences to observe Hillary professionally in her career as a senator and as the Secretary of State.
Also on a more personal level, because Hillary and I shared close mutual friends, I have had opportunities and insights that contradict accusations of her “lacking character and strong values.” I also had opportunities to witness just how deep and personal her faith really is.
Knowing what I know and believing that “to whom much is given, much is required,” as much as I wanted to continue to stay away from “politics,” I knew that I needed to contribute in the unique way I was capable of doing. So for the first time in my life, I publicly endorsed a political candidate.
The path that led to my initial introduction and volunteer work with the White House, State Department, and Congressional offices in WDC surprisingly was the election of President G.W. Bush. As a stay-at-home mom who was active in the First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, my husband and I had supported persecuted Christians globally for many years and I saw an opportunity with GWB being elected to highlight this issue.
This resulted in me becoming the liaison and director for human rights / religious freedom advocacy efforts for the evangelical churches from the President’s hometown of Midland, Texas, which gave me my first chance to observe Hillary when she was a senator.
This was when I saw her reach out in bi-partisan efforts to work with congressional leaders who were known for their animosity and ridicule towards “Hillarycare” when, as the First Lady, she led health reform initiatives.
Recalling how GOP opponents had also tried to disingenuously exploit to their own party’s advantage the Clinton’s marital problems, I continued to be impressed and humbled when I saw how Hillary could put that aside and move forward, which was a rare example of reconciliation and forgiveness in WDC politics.
Hillary’s positive example of choosing to forgive led to passing bi-partisan legislation to help vulnerable children, which she had been doing long before anyone was watching.
After President Bush left office, I continued to be engaged these seven past years because of my work in international affairs as I volunteered my time and training to represent the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and their 129 national alliances in various capacities at the United Nations and around the world.
This is when I was able to observe and engage with Hillary as the Secretary of State, including a very personal experience of being able to help facilitate her meeting in 2012 with the South Sudanese Evangelical Alliance leader, Bishop Elias Taban, who Secretary Clinton credited in the breaking the peace stalemate.
I saw firsthand Hillary’s diplomatic skills and expertise in regards to African affairs, but even more so, I was touched by the respect and humility she showed towards Bishop Taban and his wife, who she continued to stay in touch with and prayed for.
I can honestly say that the quiet faith that I have observed in Hillary, even though she is greatly misunderstood and maligned for it, along with her insistence that her faith not be used for mere political gain has been one of the main reasons that I admire and respect her.
BCNN1 WP 