A Letter from the Woman Who Should Be President

Eight-year-old Martha Kennedy Morales of College Park, Maryland, ran for class president and lost to a male classmate. Word of her loss reached Hillary Clinton, who decided to write her a letter.

Valerie Strauss at the Washington Post reports:

Martha said that as part of a unit on U.S. government, elections for class president and Congress were held, and she decided to run for the top job. Her opponent, she said, was a popular fourth-grade boy.

...Her father, Albert Morales, said Martha waged a serious campaign to win, and he routinely posted campaign updates on his Facebook page. He revealed the results of the contest there, too.

Democratic political activist Bryan Weaver said a number of Albert Morales's friends saw his Facebook posts, got caught up in the election, and were upset when Martha lost. "A friend of mine who runs a bar on U Street welled up with tears," he said.

...Someone who knows Clinton saw the posts and mentioned it to her, and she decided to write to the youngster. Her spokesman, Nick Merrill, confirmed that the letter is authentic.

"My mom was just picking me up from school, and she pulled the letter out of her purse," Martha said. "I opened it up, and it was a letter from Hillary Clinton. I was very surprised."

...The 8-year-old, who is looking forward to turning 9 next week, is now working on a thank-you note.

Martha's parents made public a photo of the letter from Hillary Clinton to their daughter, who was declared vice president of the class after her loss.

The letter reads:

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

December 6, 2018
Martha Kennedy Morales
[redacted address]

Dear Martha:

I learned from your father, Albert's post on Facebook about your election experience running for Class President at [redacted]. Congratulations on being elected Vice President!

While I know you may have been disappointed that you did not win President, I am so proud of you for deciding to run in the first place. As I know too well, it’s not easy when you stand up and put yourself in contention for a role that’s only been sought by boys. The most important thing is that you fought for what you believed in, and that is always worth it. As you continue to learn and grow in the years ahead, never stop standing up for what is right and seeking opportunities to be a leader, and know that I am cheering you on for a future of great success.

With best wishes and warm regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

[signature]
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Congratulations to vice-president Martha Kennedy Morales. ♥