Hillary Clinton made history this week by becoming the country’s first major party female presumptive nominee for president.
Below are some of the women who came to Clinton’s victory rally in Brooklyn Tuesday night. CNN asked them to describe where they were in 2008 when Clinton conceded to then-Sen. Barack Obama and what it means for them now to see her clinch the nomination eight years later.
Lara Israel, 71, abstract expressionist artist from New York City
Where were you eight years ago today when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama?
I was praying that Hillary Clinton would get elected president then. I was so disappointed. … I was watching that speech on a friend’s house on the TV. I was disappointed, I was sad, I was disappointed. No, no!
What does it mean for you to see the country’s first female major party presumptive presidential nominee?
In the 60s, I demonstrated for women’s rights and I was a part of the feminist movement … Women have to work 10 times harder and be 10 times smarter than the men. If Hillary becomes president, it’s going to be such a victory for women. It’s going to set an amazing role model for my children and grandchildren. She’s going to understand women like nobody else. She has the heart and soul that only a woman can have.
Jennifer McCann, 46, volunteer at the St. Jude’s Hospital from Nyack, New York
Where were you eight years ago today when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama?
I was recovering in the hospital. I have a spinal cord injury from one of my operations. That’s how I learned. My hospital room, on the television. It was very, very sad. I volunteered during that time as well, as much as I could. I remember writing letters to people in my family about why I support Hillary — even when I was in the hospital. Just remembering after a nurse or an aide left, and I saw it on TV, it was just devastating. I was really distraught over that.
What does it mean for you to see the country’s first female major party presumptive presidential nominee?
This is truly the moment in “herstory” that I’ve been waiting for. It’s great to see a first female president but not just because she’s a female president but because she is the best candidate that is running. I really believe she will be the best president I will ever see in my lifetime — I knew that eight years ago and that didn’t work out but know that this time, it will.
Josephine Hamilton Perry, 69, SEIU education trainer and retired teacher from Chicago
Where were you eight years ago today when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama?
I was in Denver, in the room with her. When she came to address her volunteers and her supporters and said that she was going to (concede). I really at the time thought that she still had an opportunity to be the nominee, so I was disappointed. Other women in the room were disappointed — I didn’t cry but there were women that actually cried.
What does it mean for you to see the country’s first female major party presumptive presidential nominee?
I’m very happy about it that we, as women, will see our first nominee. Very happy about that. Mission accomplished. But I’m still scared. Because of the political climate that exists in our country at this time with Bernie Sanders and (Donald) Trump, with the type of engagement that they have and how they have attacked her.
Kristen Blush, 34, photographer from New York City
Where were you eight years ago today when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama?
I was living in Seattle, Washington. I was doing freelance photography there. There was disappointment in the air, for sure. But I took her lead and switched my alliances to Obama. … I was happy that her positivity and energy toward (Obama) made me feel like they had plans to work together. I thought it was a cool, classy move on her part.
What does it mean for you to see the country’s first female major party presumptive presidential nominee?
I’m completely blown away with excitement. Just her journey and quest for greatness has been so spectacular. She’s such a role model and it’s very important that she gets the support from Obama and Sen. Sanders and we all can rally with her. I think it’s way too late and she could have done this eight years ago — but better late than never.
Darnell McGhie-Wallace, 50, nurse from Valley Stream, New York
Where were you eight years ago today when Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama?
I was at home. I was so excited (that Barack Obama had won the nomination). I just remember feeling very elated and I liked how the party was very united. It was just a celebration — the first black president. An historic occasion. Everything was a blur after that.
What does it mean for you to see the country’s first female major party presumptive presidential nominee?
Proud. That’s the word. I feel very proud. It’s someone I can respect. I won’t feel ashamed to have her as the president of the United States. I would feel such deep shame if that other person from the other side became president. I would be afraid to call myself an American if I traveled to another country. Ashamed.