Molly Ringwald Visits PSU

On Wednesday, September 14^th, actress Molly Ringwald spoke at the HUB on behalf of the Plymouth State Democrats. She came here to represent herself as an advocate for the Democratic Party, and for Hilary Clinton’s campaign. Being raised in a strongly democratic household, Ringwald learned what values were important from a young age, “Growing up, there was an element of feminism in my family. I grew up with an example of a very strong woman (and man) in my house.” She said. “And they worked together as a team. And that’s something that I try to teach my kids.” She wants to raise her children complementary to how she was brought up, with strong, informative role models. Both she and Clinton are strong advocates for working women, and working mothers. Ringwald’s main focus here at PSU is to stress the importance of voting to our generation. Not just democrats, but republicans and independent parties as well.

Ringwald, just like all parents, wishes to have a lasting impression on her children. She expresses her morals as a parent, “I try to teach my girls that they should be able to have the same opportunities (as men). It’s 2016, there is no reason why we have to have this gender pay gap. And my son, who is 7 years old, I tell him that he’s only going to be stronger in life, if he is surrounded by other strong people. Including women. That strong women do not make him weaker, but they make him stronger.” Carrying lessons from her own childhood, she prioritizes teaching her children about strength, and feminism, and seeing the relationship between the two.

She is passionate about human rights, she wants to see an increase of women’s rights, for her daughters, and future generations benefit. She believes in the importance of education, especially college education, “Yes I’m an actress, but I still balance my money. Three college educations are not going to be cheap.” Ringwald’s father is blind, and so she is also very involved in the rights of the disabled. All of these rights must be considered on voting day.

As an advocate for human rights, Ringwald feels that it is important for the President to embody the wholesome values we are teaching our children at home. She wants her children’s lessons to be recognized by the next President, “These values I’m teaching my kids are the most important thing (to me). And I feel like my kids should be able to look at the President of the United States, who will represent the values that I teach my kids.”

In addition to being an advocate for the Democratic Party, she came here to Plymouth State to encourage the younger generation to get out there and vote. Molly asked around the room if everyone was registered to vote, and jokingly gasped when a few people admitted they were not. As heart set as she is on Clinton, she stressed, “Get out there and vote. You still have time. Even if you have a different opinion, it is important to vote. But you should make up your own minds.” Voting among teenagers seems to be a less popular circumstance in this election, because both parties seem to fear the opposing side’s candidate winning the Presidency.