I was a college feminist when the Clinton election took place, and I remember Hillary Clinton’s brilliant speech in China, a landmark oratory that inspired women everywhere. I remember her being one of the first first ladies who spoke up proudly for the rights of women, while certainly taking nothing away from Rosalyn Carter, Betty Ford, and others who also made their mark in this area. I remember marvelling at the fact that our first lady was an attorney who would go on to become a senator and secretary of state.

What did I know of Clinton’s women? I knew that Lewinsky was an adult who was in no way forced, cajoled or pressured into her involvement with the president. I never called her a slut, and I hated it when people body shamed her. Still she never said, “He forced me. He threatened my job.” And while I felt for her, I didn’t understand why I should have more empathy for her than Anita Hill, who was subjected to unwanted, unsolicited advances.

I also remember that Paula Jones turned down a proposed meeting with the president of the National Organization for Women because she needed to go buy a new dress and get her hair done for a TV appearance. Made me wonder a bit, that’s all.

So yeah, all of these years later a good number of women abandon Hillary at the polls, and — while it was so cool to cast those token votes for Jill Stein, who is amazing but had next to no chance of winning — we instead get a president who aims to cut domestic violence funding, which certainly will result in the deaths of many women; take away our right to choose and our health and childcare; and who faces several dozen detailed accusations of sexual harassment and assault — and who brings alleged abusers like Roy Moore and Steve Bannon to the forefront of our government.

Ladies, was it really that important to stick it to Hillary?