Even though he’s not Hillary, President Barack Obama has definitely shattered the glass ceiling so that what seemed impossible is now likely to occur. If a black man can be president of the United States of America, then who will be next? Will we vote for a female, Asian and, dare I say, Muslim President?

At the beginning of Obama’s campaign, it was almost laughable that a black man aspired to the highest office in the land. Words like “fairytale” were thrown around, and people expected to pat Obama on the shoulder and say “Nice try, you did well,” when he realized his pipe dream was merely that.

These people were not Republicans, even though the G.O.P. would have loved that. Instead, they were his very supporters, mainly African Americans who had been taught by Jim Crow and the era of segregation that they should sit at the back of the bus called life and not aspire to reach the very top.

I was privileged to attend the first Democratic primary debate, held at a historically black university in South Carolina. At that time, it was not unpopular or uncool to hear comments like “America is not ready for a black president,” or “There is no way white people will vote for a black man,” from black students on that campus. America has forgotten just how ridiculous the notion of a black president seemed less than two years ago.

If Obama serves two terms in office, who will be the next president?  Will it be Hillary Clinton?  The notion of a female president can’t seem that unlikely now.

At the beginning of the primary season, Clinton was the clear front runner for the Democratic Party nominee, despite the nation’s debate over her wardrobe and taunts from men who would hold up “Iron my shirts,” and “Make my breakfast,” signs at her rallies. She overcame many obstacles to make history including the media’s love affair with the infectious senator for Illinois, that arguably squeezed Clinton into second place, prompting the infamous “crying incident.”

Hillary continued to march even as her core supporters began to defect to the Obama camp. In an article published in the Washington Post, writer Linda Hirshman explained that as the Obama campaign built momentum, Clinton not only lost African American women, but ironically she lost many feminists, including members of “The New York Feminists for Peace and Barack Obama,” a group of activists that created a national petition of female support for Obama.

Among the other influential women that publicly supported Obama, were First Lady of California Maria Shriver, her cousin Attorney Caroline Kennedy who recently gave up her bid for the senate, as well Governors Janet Napolitano and Kathleen Sebelius. Hirshman referred to these women as the “elitist class” who have no need for Clinton’s working class initiatives including her more generous universal health care plan and paid family leave.

If Obama’s campaign taught us one lesson, it is that hope is not lost. Hillary can make a comeback! Under Obama’s leadership, she will have a chance to serve America and, if she serves well, she could position herself as Obama’s successor. Additionally, both Obama and Hillary have made the notion of a female president seem less unreachable, because of their determination to defy the stereotype. This does not only apply to Hillary Clinton, but to anyone seeking political office or any position of influence.

Obama’s half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng said a few months before the election that Obama told her he just had a feeling that he needed to do more, or that he had a higher calling. Obama followed that gut-feeling all the way to the White House.

What is your higher calling? Obama proved that the glass ceiling can be shattered. It’s time for women and minorities to let go of their fear, reach for their higher calling, and not merely expect to sit at the back of the bus or even the middle rows. Despite who you voted for, the mantra “Yes we can,” applies to all Americans who wish to accept it and make it their own.