Hillary Clinton

 

Hillary Clinton, born in Chicago in 1947, is a prominent American lawyer and politician. She has held various high-profile positions, including U.S. senator and secretary of state under President Barack Obama. As the wife of former President Bill Clinton, she also served as first lady. In 2016, she made history as the first woman to be nominated as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

Hillary's upbringing in a Chicago suburb instilled in her a strong work ethic and a commitment to academic excellence. Despite her initial affiliation with the Republican Party, her political views evolved during her time at Wellesley College. Inspired by the turbulent events of the 1960s, she switched her allegiance to the Democratic Party and became actively involved in political campaigns. Hillary's journey from a young Republican to a trailblazing Democratic leader is a testament to her resilience and adaptability.

Hillary Clinton's journey after graduating from Wellesley in 1969 took her to Yale Law School, where she was inspired by Marian Wright Edelman's passion for children's rights. Working with Edelman ignited Hillary's interest in family law and advocacy for children.

Despite meeting Bill Clinton at Yale, they went their separate ways after graduation in 1973. While Bill returned to Arkansas, Hillary continued her work with the Children's Defense Fund in Massachusetts. She later played a role in the Watergate inquiry before making a pivotal decision to move to Arkansas.

Teaching at the University of Arkansas School of Law and eventually joining the Rose Law Firm, Hillary continued to build her career. Despite facing criticism for keeping her maiden name, she remained committed to her work and family, welcoming their daughter Chelsea in 1980.

During Bill's time as governor, Hillary dedicated herself to helping children and the less fortunate, all while managing a successful law practice and serving on prestigious corporate boards. She was recognized as one of the nation's top lawyers and chaired the Arkansas Education Standards Committee, as well as founding the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Her contributions to society earned her titles such as Arkansas Woman of the Year and Arkansas Young Mother of the Year.

Hillary Clinton's professional career was unmatched by any other presidential candidate's wife, drawing intense scrutiny. Critics on the conservative side accused her of having her own agenda due to her past work with liberal causes. In response to these criticisms, she famously quipped that she could have just "stayed home and baked cookies." This off-the-cuff remark was seized upon by the media and used to paint her as disrespectful towards women who choose to focus on homemaking.

Furthermore, Hillary faced suspicions of financial impropriety, particularly surrounding her investments in Whitewater and her successful commodities trading. These dealings were closely examined after she became first lady, leading to major investigations. Despite these challenges, Hillary continued to push forward in her career and public service.

During the 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton touted a “twofer” presidency, hinting that Hillary would have a significant role in his administration. The early days of the Clinton White House seemed to confirm this idea. Hillary appointed a skilled team and even set up her own office in the West Wing, a move that hadn't been done before. She took charge of the Task Force on National Health Care, a key part of her husband's agenda. Despite facing backlash for closing the task force sessions to the public, she defended her actions and received praise for her expertise. However, the task force's recommendations were ultimately rejected by Congress. Hillary faced criticism for her involvement in various controversies, including Travelgate and Whitewater. Despite the challenges, she made history by winning a Senate seat in New York, proving that a first lady can wield both ceremonial and political power.

Senate and 2008 presidential run

Hillary Clinton was sworn into office in 2001 and wasted no time in advocating for health care reform and children's rights. Serving on various committees, including the Committee for Armed Services, she made her mark in the Senate. After the September 11 attacks, she supported the invasion of Afghanistan but criticized President Bush's handling of the Iraq War. Her memoir, Living History, was a bestseller, earning her a hefty advance. Re-elected easily in 2006, she then set her sights on the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Despite early setbacks, she fought hard and won key states, but ultimately fell short to Barack Obama. Despite her efforts, Obama secured the nomination and went on to win the general election.

Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate

In December 2008, Obama tapped Clinton for secretary of state, with Senate approval following in January 2009. Her tenure was praised for bolstering U.S. foreign relations, but she stepped down in 2013, succeeded by John Kerry. Her memoir, Hard Choices, hit the shelves in 2014, shedding light on her time in office. However, controversy arose in 2015 when it was revealed she used a private email server, sparking an FBI probe. Clinton entered the 2016 presidential race as the Democratic frontrunner but faced a tough challenge from Bernie Sanders, who championed progressive policies. Despite criticism for her ties to Wall Street, Clinton emphasized her foreign policy expertise and advocated for a moderate agenda. The race was a rollercoaster, but Clinton's experience and resilience shone through.

Clinton's journey through the 2016 election season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. From being embroiled in the e-mail scandal to clinching the Democratic nomination, she faced it all. Despite the FBI's conclusion and her opponent's attacks, she soldiered on, eventually losing the election in a stunning upset.

In the aftermath, she reflected on her defeat in What Happened and launched Onward Together to support progressive causes. She continued her advocacy for women with The Book of Gutsy Women and took on a new role as chancellor of Queen's University Belfast.

The documentary Hillary and her foray into fiction with State of Terror showcase her resilience and determination. Clinton's journey is a testament to the highs and lows of politics, and her legacy continues to inspire.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.