Many at the Democratic National Convention expected the historic significance of the first woman nominee to dominate the headlines. And while it didn't work out that way initially, one Hillary Clinton delegate from the East Bay still was hopeful the convention's theme would change course.
"With everything going on, I don’t think we’ve had that moment when it's really going to strike people of the history of it," said Monica Fitzgerald, a women's studies professor at Saint Mary's College and one of 495 California delegates.
Fitzgerald, a Walnut Creek resident, is in Philadelphia for the convention, and she expected people to be talking about the fact that Clinton is officially the first female presidential nominee of a major political party. Instead, Bernie Sanders supporters overshadowed the California delegation breakfast Monday morning, protesting after emails from party chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz surfaced showing her anti-Sanders bias.
"On the one hand, you’ve got to love the passion," Fitzgerald said. "If these people come into the political process, it’s going to be a win for everybody. ... The delegates too are feeling like they want to reach out to Bernie delegates and have a conversation. And try to bring the party together."
Fitzgerald believes over the course of the convention, Clinton and Sanders delegates will come together.
She also believes the highlight of the convention will be Thursday, when Clinton takes the stage - and that historic moment is realized.
