Fine: Your vote is a duty to past and future generations

Growing up, I was always very close to my grandmother. 'Betty' Malkin was an example of never judge a book by its cover.

A sweet, kind woman, she was also fierce and driven by her convictions. Born in Chicago in 1911 to Russian immigrants, Nana experienced many struggles. These challenges molded her, but never defeated her.

Betty lost her father as a teenager, married my grandfather and lost everything in the Depression and became a widow at a young age.

Through it all, Nana set an example for the next generations of women in our family. She lived in a time when women were the backbone of family and community but didn't have a voice.

Nana remembered the struggle of women fighting for the right to vote and instilled its importance on future generations. As a result, in her 96 years, she never missed an election. She would vote with pride, knowing she was shaping the future with her ballot. Her persistence paved the way for future generations of women in our family.

She watched her daughter graduate college, get married, become a teacher, put her husband through law school only to be forced to leave her job when she became pregnant with my sister.

Nana's drive lived on through my mother. She taught her daughters what she learned from her mom; be kind, treat everyone with dignity and respect; be fierce, stand up for your beliefs; and vote. It is your voice and responsibility to past and future generations.

- Laura Fine is a state senator from Glenview.