Amanda Renteria, National Political Director for Hillary Clinton 2016, on Standing Up and Making a Difference

Speaking with Amanda Renteria over e-mail this week was very different from when my Allure colleagues profiled her this past November—on Election Day, no less. The National Political Director for Hillary Clinton 2016 was quite hopeful that day. As you can see in the video above, at the time, she was decidedly excited about the outcome of the election.

She speaks of flying to New York to meet with Clinton for the first time back when the campaign started, while the camera pans to her bracelet that aptly reads, "She believed she could so she did." Although she spent the past "600 plus days" working for her two sons to have "a different future"—rather one that's hopeful and inclusive—she's not backing down for what she believes in, even if the Former Secretary of State isn't poised to take residence in the White House in January.

The values Renteria fought for has hit close to home for the former National Political Director for Hillary Clinton 2016—and were ones that required her to forge her own path for her earliest days. Growing up in Woodlake, California, Renteria became the first Latina and the first woman in her small town to attend Stanford University. And then, after a stint at Goldman Sachs and as a high-school math teacher (you could argue Renteria really knows her numbers), she became a legislative aide and director—and eventually made her way to become the Chief of Staff for Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michicgan. In taking on the role, Renteria became the first Latina in government to ever hold the position of Chief of Staff. Considering her legacy is filled with iron grit, many accomplishments, and a inner fire, it should come as no surprise that Renteria tells Allure we should continue fighting for what you believe is right.

"We shouldn’t stop organizing for causes, building coalitions, and creating our shared future just because an election is over," Renteria said in an email. "It is incumbent upon us, as citizens, to hold our leaders accountable by staying engaged on issues that affect our country. I also encourage everyone to give it a try—run for office, manage a campaign, be part of a movement. Step into the arena!"

And although the outcome of the election resulted in a President-elect Renteria didn't want to spend the next four years raising her two sons under, she's accepted that she needs to have less-than-easy conversations with her kids. "My response [to my kids after the election] went right back to what my parents taught me," she said. "You keep your head up and you move forward. So, with as straight of face as I could muster, I said, 'Mijo, we are going to be who we are. We just need to work harder now. And, we are going to need you and your little brother to be ready to stand up to bullies, to help people who need your help and to show others that you respect everyone.'"

Kind of obsessed with that optimism. Because not only will Renteria continue to stand up for herself and others, she's also hopefully about the future, specifically seeing a woman president. "Absolutely," she said, when I asked her if we'd see would see a woman become President in my lifetime. "And I believe Hillary Clinton has paved the way to making it possible." Now, that's something to be hopeful for—and certainly most grateful for.

Renteria for President? You heard it here, first.

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3. The Hillary Clinton No-Makeup Look the Internet Is Abuzz About

Producer: Kishori Rajan Director: Ani Simon-Kennedy Camera: Cailin Yatsko Sound: Jared Arnold