There are an estimated 34 million millennial women in the U.S., and they are poised to make a big impact in this year's presidential election. But the issues that matter to them are as diverse as they are. A joint ABC News/Refinery29 poll conducted this spring found that while 78% of millennial women believe this election is going to have an impact on their lives, 49% think that the candidates are hardly talking about the issues that are important to them.
So we set out to learn what really does matter to these young female voters. During the week of the 2016 Republican National Convention, Refinery29 asked Republican women why they're committed to voting this year. We're planning to do the same at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia next week, too.
Ahead, young women share their perspectives from inside Instagram's Tiny Oval Office.
Kaelyn Forde contributed reporting from Cleveland.
Refinery29’s News team is on the ground covering the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention. Follow along @R29News and check out our full coverage of the 2016 race here.
Amanda Henneberg
Chief Operating Officer, Cavalry
"I'm voting because I love America."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Cheramie Law
Executive Director, Guardian for Heroes Foundation
"I'm voting because veterans need a voice."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Cheramie Law
Executive Director, Guardian for Heroes Foundation
"I'm voting because veterans need a voice."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Erin Egan
VP of Public Policy and Chief Privacy Officer, Facebook
"I'm voting because I believe in our democracy."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Erin Egan
VP of Public Policy and Chief Privacy Officer, Facebook
"I'm voting because I believe in our democracy."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Katie Harbath
Global Politics and Government Outreach Director, Facebook
"I'm voting because women's voices matter."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Katie Harbath
Global Politics and Government Outreach Director, Facebook
"I'm voting because women's voices matter."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Catherine Costakos
Convention Volunteer
"I'm voting because [of] America's future generations."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Catherine Costakos
Convention Volunteer
"I'm voting because [of] America's future generations."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Emily Ziegler
Convention Volunteer
"I'm voting because I can."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Emily Ziegler
Convention Volunteer
"I'm voting because I can."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Alex Smith
National Chair, College Republican National Committee
"I'm voting because millennial women deserve better than Washington's failures!"
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Alex Smith
National Chair, College Republican National Committee
"I'm voting because millennial women deserve better than Washington's failures!"
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Carolina Hurley
National Communications Director, C ollege Republican National Committee
"I'm voting because the deficit is too damn high!"
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Carolina Hurley
National Communications Director, C ollege Republican National Committee
"I'm voting because the deficit is too damn high!"
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Jill Barclay
Director of Special Projects, Harbinger Outreach
"I'm voting because America shouldn't apologize."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Jill Barclay
Director of Special Projects, Harbinger Outreach
"I'm voting because America shouldn't apologize."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Mary Katharine Ham
CNN Commentator & Writer at The Federalist
"I'm voting because it matters what kind of country I leave my kids, plus it matters that they see I care."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Mary Katharine Ham
CNN Commentator & Writer at The Federalist
"I'm voting because it matters what kind of country I leave my kids, plus it matters that they see I care."
Ali-Jae Asselstine
Account Executive, Google
"I'm voting because my voice matters."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Ali-Jae Asselstine
Account Executive, Google
"I'm voting because my voice matters."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Gabriella Morrone
Committee on Arrangements Intern, RNC
"I'm voting because of my family's small business."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Gabriella Morrone
Committee on Arrangements Intern, RNC
"I'm voting because of my family's small business."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Kaitlyn McClure
Policy Advisor
"I'm voting because I believe in America."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.
Kaitlyn McClure
Policy Advisor
"I'm voting because I believe in America."
Photographed By Nathaniel Welch/Redux.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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