Bruce Van Natta

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, born October 26, 1947, is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat with a long career in public service. She served as Secretary of State under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, and prior to that, represented New York in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2009. During her husband Bill Clinton's presidency (1993-2001), she was the First Lady of the United States. In 2016, she became the first woman nominated for president by a major American political party, winning the popular vote but not the Electoral College.

Clinton's early life included education at Wellesley College and Yale Law School. Her political journey began with involvement in Republican circles, including serving as president of the Wellesley Young Republicans and attending the 1968 Republican National Convention, where she ultimately left the party. She later became a partner at the Rose Law Firm and was active in advocating for children's welfare. As First Lady, she championed healthcare reform and played a role in legislative initiatives for children's health and welfare. Her tenure as Secretary of State involved navigating international relations, including sanctions against Iran and the intervention in Libya, and her use of a private email server drew significant attention.

Born in Chicago and raised in a Methodist family, Hillary Rodham's early life showed signs of intellectual curiosity and engagement. She excelled in school and participated in extracurricular activities like Girl Scouts and student government. Inspired by the Space Race, she inquired about becoming an astronaut, only to be told women were not accepted. Her high school experiences, including losing an election for class president and being told a girl couldn't be elected, shaped her perspective. Her parents encouraged her to pursue an independent career, and her father, despite being a traditionalist, believed her abilities shouldn't be limited by gender. Her early political views were influenced by her anti-communist history teacher and a youth minister focused on social justice, exposing her to figures like Barry Goldwater and Martin Luther King Jr. These influences highlighted the emerging political and cultural divisions in America.

At Wellesley College, Rodham initially led the Young Republicans, supporting moderate candidates. However, her views evolved during her college years, particularly concerning the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Describing herself as "a mind conservative and a heart liberal," she sought change within the existing political system rather than through radical action. By her junior year, she supported Democrat Eugene McCarthy's antiwar campaign. She became president of the Wellesley College Government Association and, following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, organized a student strike and worked to increase Black student and faculty recruitment. Her internship with the House Republican Conference and participation in the "Wellesley in Washington" program, along with assisting Nelson Rockefeller's campaign, led her to attend the 1968 Republican National Convention. Disappointed by the convention's atmosphere and Nixon's campaign tactics, she left the Republican Party. Her senior thesis critiqued community organizer Saul Alinsky's methods.