Who is Cindy Hyde-Smith and why should you care? Cindy Hyde-Smith was selected by Governor Phil Bryant to run for the open U.S Senate seat for Mississippi. This is so important to me and many others because Cindy is the first woman to represent Mississippi in the U.S Senate. She also has been passionate about protecting the agriculture industry, including right-to-farm and property rights, for many years through her state senate seat, not a field usually dominated by women.

An extremely important point that Cindy has made in the past is it is important to have different perspectives and viewpoints involved in politics and policy change so that information from all angles can be heard. She also has mentioned that women offer a unique perspective when it comes to establishing a vision for the future and voicing possible solutions.

What is important to me is she values patience and a humanitarian view on decision making, which is a skill that is hard to come by. Regardless of party ties of political ideology, something that can go down as a progressive change in Mississippi history is a win in my book.

As a young woman that aspires to become apart of government and politics one day, it is inspiring and kindling to see a woman from my home state not only be a trailblazer but a first. Sometimes, it can be disconcerting to any young hopeful woman who is considering a career in politics because the roles are usually dominated by men.

Political positions should always depend on overall character and qualifications, but I know that in the past, now, going into the future there are plenty of qualified women. Women make up nearly 60 percent of college students, and law schools are half-female, but Congress doesn't reflect those numbers.

It is time to stop thinking women in politics is too taboo. There are not that many people rising through the ranks to challenge the current political environment. Just because you may not look like the average candidate on TV does not mean there isn’t a place for you in government. In fact, it means that our government needs us more than ever. Everything that you are passionate about and educated on can be used to inform and support policy changes in our country.

You don’t have to have a law degree to roll up your sleeves and make something impactful happen. What you do have to do is stop looking at the person next to you, as women, we have to get up and lead the way. This why I am grateful for women like Cindy Hyde-Smith, especially for my state, Mississippi.