When I was seven years old, there was nothing I wanted more than to be president of the United States.

My parents, the good-hearted people they are, nurtured this passion and bought me a book about women of political power in the United States. Among these amazing women was Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Yesterday, I voted for Clinton in my first election. I truly believed in that moment I was helping to elect one of my childhood idols as the first woman president. The outcome of this election proved this to be untrue.

However, though my faith has been shaken, my passion has become reignited.

As a senior, I am often faced with the question of what I want to do in my future. For the past year or so, I said I was mostly undecided, but will probably study humanities. After this election, I am very seriously considering law and public policy. Seeing Clinton come so far has inspired me beyond belief.

As a young woman in the United States today, I am scared. I am scared for my right to make decisions about my body. I am scared for my brother, who needs help in school, and the funding for this could potentially be cut. I am scared for my cousin, who could potentially lose the right to marry her fiance next fall. I am scared for my Muslim and Latinx classmates, who face potential deportation. I am scared for my black neighbors, who may not receive the justice they deserve.

However, I pledge to turn my fear into action. I will volunteer for Planned Parenthood. I will advocate for black lives. I will do whatever it takes to ensure the rights of every citizen threatened by our newly elected president’s harmful rhetoric. Whatever you are passionate about, make your voice heard.

If this election has done anything, it has opened my eyes to the bigotry and hatred in our country, and has encouraged me to do all I can to reverse it.