Fourteen-year-old Carolyn Westphal arrived bundled up, her furry hood drawn tight against the cold wind that whipped around outside Millersville University's Pucillo Gymnasium.

As she spoke, her teeth sometimes chattered, but the Manheim Township Middle School student had more important things on her mind than the weather.

Westphal and her mother, Val, braved the elements to stand in line with thousands of others to see and hear Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York at MU Tuesday.

Clinton, who is campaigning in anticipation of the Pennsylvania primary on April 22, addressed many issues, including the Iraq War and health care, during a 7 p.m. speech that was open to the public.

Carolyn was just one of many young women who attended the event hoping to see the candidate who could become the nation's first female president.

"I like her because she's very outspoken," Carolyn said as she and her mother waited for the doors to open. "I like what she has to say about health care, but I would also like to learn about some of the other things she supports."

Carolyn said she has watched Clinton on television and has studied the election in school.

Like many other young women at Tuesday's event, Carolyn noted the historical significance of Clinton's candidacy and her role as the first viable female contender for the Oval Office.

"It's exciting," she said. "From that perspective, this is a really important election. I just wish I could vote."

Val Westphal, a Clinton supporter, said she encouraged her daughter to attend the event because she believed it would be a great experience.

"I thought it was important for her to get out to see either (Democratic) candidate," Val Westphal said. "Carolyn has always enjoyed listening to Hillary on TV, and I think it's important for her to stay involved with the whole process. This is something she'll remember for the rest of her life."

Millersville University students Shannon Bartman and Samantha Goldfarb said they believe this election is a huge step for women. They said they feel privileged to be a part of history.

"It's empowering," Bartman, 21, said. "Many of the world powers have had women in charge, and it's about time the United States has one too."

Bartman said she has been a fan of Hillary Clinton since she was the first lady and supported her during her first campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate. She said she strongly supports Clinton's stand on health care, specifically her plans to make health care available for young people just out of college.

While Goldfarb, 19, identified herself as a supporter of Barack Obama, she said she has a lot of respect for Clinton.

"The whole thing has been amazing," Goldfarb said. "It's refreshing to see a strong, intelligent woman stand up and speak her mind and be taken seriously."

Rachel Freeman, 11, who also attended the town meeting, said she didn't know a lot about Hillary Clinton, but thought she would make a good president.

"I think it's really neat that she's a woman and she has a good chance of winning," Rachel said as she stood in line with her father, Mark, and brother, Bennett, 9.

For the Freeman siblings, who live in Lancaster city and are homeschooled, the event served as a field trip.

"Yes, they are supposed to be taking notes," Mark Freeman said.

E-mail: jtodd@lnpnews.com