The United States has seen their first female presidential nominee declared for a major party, and that could help inspire young women everywhere. That's the feeling of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie Executive Director Dawn Froese, after Hilary Clinton claimed the nomination. Froese notes there's no shortage of American media and political saturation in Canada, and having a woman in the running for president could inspire young women here.

"In Canada we're a little ahead that we've had a female prime minister already, but we know the world looks at the U.S, and at their leadership and watching what they're doing. I think this is a positive step, and this will open up opportunities to them, and what they can achieve in the future."

Canada's first and only female prime minister was Kim Campbell, who was elected as the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 1993, after Brian Mulroney announced his retirement from politics. However, her term as prime minister lasted little over four months, after the party was defeated by the Liberals in an election later that year.

Froese notes the political realm still faces the perception of a male-dominated area, but notes with a female presidential candidate, and several strong women in Canada, that perception is changing.

"I think politics is still often thought of as a man's world. We have a few really strong women in Canadian politics, now the States can join that as well. We get a lot of American news and stuff, and kids are watching that. I think they'll think of it as a positive thing for women, and just opening up the doors and possibilities for the future."

She notes the news of Clinton's nomination comes shortly after one of their teens returned from Ottawa, where she witnessed the operations at the House of Commons, and met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.