Grace Nelson, wife of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, spoke to members of the Villages Democratic Club Saturday morning at Colony Cottage Recreation Center, urging them to vote for Hillary Clinton.
Beginning her speech, Grace gave thanks on behalf of Bill for the audiences’ friendship and support. She then described her history with Bill and the beginning of their political participation.
Shifting to current matters, Grace called attention to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s historic speech, where she featured a video at her campaign event that displayed ionic women throughout history.
Grace inferred that it must have been an emotional moment for Clinton.
“It was for me, to think we’ve come this far,” Grace said.
She said she has watched Clinton “pour her heart out,” dating all the way back to when Bill became governor of Arkansas.
Grace said Hillary has empowered women all over the world and called the former secretary of state’s depth of knowledge “amazing.”
Not mentioning presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump at all in the speech, Grace did assert that experience matters.
“From the first day, she will begin to move this nation forward,” said Grace.
She gave an account of her trip to Rwanda and how the country’s government is doing currently as opposed to during the 1994 genocide. Despite the macabre times, Grace pointed out the Rwandan women who chose to forgive any perpetrators who committed crimes.
Today, Grace says, “64 percent of their government are women,” which has contributed to many of the country’s successes and lack of corruption.
“I have to believe it has something to do with women being there, not to rule or rein, but to partner,” said Grace.
Grace then asked Rwanda President Kagame what had caused the 1994 genocide, and in return the president gave three reasons that filled Grace with concern about America’s current direction.
“Are we on the verge of a new genocide in our country?” asked Grace. A genocide, she added, of words and not violence.
“It is this disrespect and division that is the biggest problem in this country,” said Grace. However, the solution would be to be like the women of Rwanda who chose to forgive.
Grace stated, “We don’t need a president that is pinning us against the world.” “I want Democrats to win. I want Hillary to win,” she continued.
Wrapping up her speech, Grace reflected on her husband’s first space flight in 1986 and how Bill saw “nations without borders” as he orbited in space, hoping that one day everyone could treat each other like family.
