Of course records will be broken. As we sat in our elementary school classes watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama, we were watching history be made. Now this election isn’t quite the same but there is a chance for a female to be president. That would be a first in America. Although this is a first for us, it’s not very uncommon elsewhere.

Women have had influential political roles since the late 1800’s when Susan B. Anthony was an activist for women’s right to vote. It was a lengthy process that you’ll probably have to take a test on in a history class, but hey, she did it! Another example is Queen Elizabeth II. She has been the Queen of England since 1952. She’s 90 years old and is still helping run a country!

A personal favorite of mine is Angela Merkel. She is the Chancellor of Germany. I’ve studied German now for over five years and have traveled to Germany three times, two of which I lived in a home with German families. Being immersed in a German family and talking about how their leader is ruling the European Union showed me her strength and her influence over most of Europe.

The lifestyle in Germany is rather different than in America for many reasons but I learned more about the political sides of things as well. We all complain about how high taxes are here in America, but they’re higher in Germany. However, there is a plan behind it. The high taxes pay for health care, college tuition and much more.

That brings me to the next important political female of our lifetime. Our first lady, Michelle Obama, has continued to help our country and push for change. Sure, none of us like the oatmeal cookies that replaced our lovable, gooey chocolate chip cookies, but her ideas have helped our country decrease obesity rates in children and have drawn awareness to the value of healthy eating.

I have no idea what’s going to happen for this election, but we need this change.