SHARE

Australian Teen Travels To NY To Meet Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. -- The hopes and dreams of a young Australian woman to one day become the youngest serving female prime minister in her country weren't dashed by the loss of of Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton in last week's presidential election.

Talylah Bland is traveling all the way from Australia in hopes of meeting Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton.

Talylah Bland is traveling all the way from Australia in hopes of meeting Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Hillary Clinton walks through the auditorium of Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, where she cast her presidential vote last Tuesday.

Hillary Clinton walks through the auditorium of Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, where she cast her presidential vote last Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

If anything, the defeat only made 18-year-old Taylah Bland of Sydney more determined to accomplish her goal, and she hopes to begin her dream by meeting with Clinton when she visits New York City Nov. 15 to Nov. 29.

Bland is coming to New York because when asked what she wanted for her graduation, the determined young woman replied the only thing she wanted was a small chance to meet the former First Lady, senator and Secretary of State.

"Mrs. Clinton is an inspiration to me as a young woman in Australia and listening to such a powerful address by her last night reinvigorated my passion," she said in an email to Daily Voice. "I resonate with everything that Mrs. Clinton stands for and I believe that I would benefit immensely from meeting her as our family’s trip to New York is my post school present in which I aim to meet Mrs. Clinton."

Hoping to become a barrister, Bland said she is currently working on running for the local leader of her electorate.

"Mrs. Clinton is the biggest inspiration I have had in my life to pursue my chosen career," she added. "I have studied a plethora of Mrs. Clinton’s addresses and even used them in my Higher School Certificate English Essays as related material."

Bland has also been following the presidential election very closely and said she was truly inspired by Clinton's concession speech.

"Ever since I can remember, Mrs. Clinton has been such a powerful leader of passion, determination, humility and loyalty and it would be my dream to even have the chance to shake the hand of such a phenomenal woman," she added.

She points to the words in Clinton's address that were aimed at young people as words that resonated in her heart: “And to all the young people in particular, I want you to hear this. I’ve spent my entire adult life fighting for what I believe in. I’ve had successes and I’ve had some setbacks - sometimes really painful ones. Many of you are at the beginning of your careers. 

"You will have successes and setbacks, too. I know that we still have not shattered that highest glass ceiling. But some day someone will - hopefully sooner than we might think right now. And to all the little girls watching right now, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world."

"These words have inspired me to continue to push for what I believe in and to make a difference in my country of Australia," she said.

to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE