I never realized the power of my vote until I was able to cast it in my first election. It wasn’t a huge election, just a local one, but the feeling I had after casting it really resonated with me. I felt not only had I done my civic duty, but also I had done something monumental as a young woman. I am very lucky to have a mother who has instilled in me the importance of voting. Coming from her teachings I have made it a priority to vote in every election I am eligible for regardless of its scale, national or local.

This year is the first time I will be voting in a presidential election. I’m not the biggest history buff, but from what I have seen from news outlets to the trending side bar on Facebook, this is one of the most important elections in our nations history. For the first time, we could have our first female president, our first Jewish president, our first Latino president or Donald Trump. Regardless of who a young woman votes for, voting is so important, especially as a woman of any socioeconomic background, race or religion.

For a brief history, let me start by asking you a quick question. How long do you think women have had the right to vote? Since 1776 when our nation was founded? Since we landed here in the 1600's? Since we landed on the moon? Well you may be surprised to know women, as a social group, have only had the right to vote since 1920. That’s right, ladies, less than 100 years. The women who got us that right fought for decades to secure our civic duty. These women were jailed, force fed and violently ridiculed for wanting something we take for granted. Not to mention, women of color often were stalled or blocked because of segregation, specifically in the south and until the Civil Rights movement did we see African American women having the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, only about 50 years ago.

Just to put things into perspective, when we finally reach 100 years of having the right to vote, Kanye West may be running for president. My, how far we have come. But in those less than 100 years, there has been a decline in women exercising their right. In a Center for American Women and Politics study, they found that in 2012 the age group of 18 to 24-years-old only 44.5 percent of women reported voting; roughly 6.2 million women (read the full report here). That may seem like a lot, but when it’s less than half it is discouraging for our millennial age bracket.

With this being one of the most talked about elections, conversations have come up about women’s role as voters; do we vote for a candidate simply because they are a woman? Or do we vote for them because they represent the values we, as young women want to see reproduced into the mainstream of our culture? Given the availability we have been given with the gift of the Internet, it is beyond important to take the time to research the issues, to stay up to date and understand who aligns with our beliefs. It is just as important to be educated on your candidate as it is to exercise your vote.

In a segment from "The Daily Show," correspondent Jessica Williams stated, “The sexism is annoying, but it’s the women shaming each other that is the most upsetting…We as women need to remember that we all want one thing, and it’s Michelle Obama’s arms.” She continues, “But also, seriously, we want the freedom to vote for who we want to regardless of what our husbands, wives or friends say about it.” You can watch the full video here.

With a long history of struggle, barely 100 years of having the right, and the current political climate, the female vote is so important. For young college age women specifically, this is the election that will determine the economic, social and political climate we enter following our graduation and possibly another four years after. If you will not be in your own state during the time of your states' specified election date, get an absentee ballot. It is as simple as looking up on Google, "How do I get an absentee ballet for (fill in the blank) state?" Every time I cast my vote, I remind myself that this vote is not just for me, but also for the women who stood before me, beside me and beyond me. Regardless of your political affiliation, if you care about the future get out there, ladies. Do it for the vote.