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Like many other young women, today I mourn. I mourn the idea of a world where I know I am safe and protected, where I know I am loved and valued.

In my short lifespans, I have watched two incredibly qualified women be the Democratic nominee and lose to a celebrity.

America chose someone who has been found civilly liable for sexual abuse over a qualified woman.

America chose someone who has at least 26 sexual misconduct allegations against him over a qualified woman.

America chose someone who showcases extreme misogyny over a qualified woman.

America chose someone who has said: “I moved on her actually. You know she was down on Palm Beach. I moved on her, and I failed. I’ll admit it. I did try and (expletive) her, she was married” over a qualified woman.

We ask women and girls why they don’t come forward when sexually assaulted or harassed, yet we vote for a man who has said: “I moved on her very heavily in fact I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said I’ll show you where they have some nice furniture. I moved on her like a (expletive).”

We criticize women for “choosing the bear,” yet we elect a man who admits to have a complete disregard for consent: “I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.”

So, yes. Today I cry.

I cry for a 14-year-old Emma, who was constantly sexually harassed, and when she finally dared to say something the principal had no care for confidentiality and then was told by her classmates she wasn’t attractive enough to have received those “compliments” in the first place.

I cry for a 15-year-old Emma, who was scared of the stares or the “accidental” touches during swim practice.

I cry for my mother, who was so fortunate to have access to IVF, but is distraught knowing that just 23 years later she might not have had that option.

I cry for my friend, who even after reporting her sexual assault had to see her abuser around campus.

I cry for my friend, who was drugged on a night out with friends.

I cry for my former teammate, who, without access to an abortion after discovering she had an ectopic pregnancy, would have died.

I cry for every girl who has experienced worse.

I cry for every girl, not yet born, who will be born into a world where she has fewer rights than I had as a child.

I cry for every girl who has yet to hear what the very person who is supposed to protect our nation has said about them.

I cry for every girl who will see this rhetoric in the media and think it is normal.

Today I cry for them, but tomorrow — tomorrow I promise to fight, advocate and win for them.

Emma Thompson
Albert Lea