Arguably, the three women in American history who have been closest to serving as President of the United States are Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, and now Sarah Palin. All three are self-described feminists. (Note: Mrs. Palin is a long-time member of “Feminists for Life.”) For all practical purposes, Mrs. Ferraro ceased to be a significant player in the national political scene after her unsuccessful 1984 Vice Presidential bid. But this week, the other two women addressed the nation at their respective media events. It is a great privilege and opportunity to be able to speak to millions of Americans. The choice of what one prioritizes — of what one does and does not say on such moments — speaks volumes about the philosophy and worldview of the individual. Both Clinton and Palin gave speeches focusing on the presidential election, and both invoked causes and mission objectives long associated with feminist political activism. In the case of Mrs. Palin, she praised and thanked feminist role models Clinton and Ferraro for what they had accomplished for women’s rights. Below is a sample for comparison of what both Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Palin chose to prioritize.

Mrs. Sarah Palin’s National Press Conference Announcement With John McCain:

To serve as vice president beside such a man would be the privilege of a lifetime. And it’s fitting that this trust has been given to me 88 years almost to the day after the women of America first gained the right to vote. I think — I think as well today of two other women who came before me in national elections. I can’t begin this great effort without honoring the achievements of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, and, of course, Senator Hillary Clinton who showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign. It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America, but it turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.

Mrs. Hillary Clinton speech at the Democratic National Convention:

To my supporters, to my champions, to my sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits... You know, America is still around after 232 years because we have risen to every challenge in every new time, changing to be faithful to our values of equal opportunity for all and the common good. And I know what that can mean for every man, woman, and child in America. I’m a United States senator because, in 1848, a group of courageous women, and a few brave men, gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, many traveling for days and nights to participate in the first convention on women’s rights in our history. And so dawned a struggle for the right to vote that would last 72 years, handed down by mother to daughter to granddaughter, and a few sons and grandsons along the way. These women and men looked into their daughters’ eyes and imagined a fairer and freer world and found the strength to fight, to rally, to picket, to endure ridicule and harassment, and brave violence and jail. And after so many decades, 88 years ago on this very day, the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, became enshrined in our Constitution.