Last night Hillary delivered a Unique Lives and Experiences address at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. A local TV outlet provided a live feed that did not work very smoothly for me, but I caught enough of the presentation to be able to relate that the topic was some of the Hard Choices that she discusses in her soon-to-be-released memoir of that title.
She spoke of the difficulty of deciding to accept the post of secretary of state and of how having done so worked to her advantage in dealing with officials in newer, less experienced democracies who did not quite understand how to move beyond an election into the messier affairs of government that require teamwork.
She also addressed her adoption of women and girls as her signature issue and the resistance and eye-rolling she encountered from some quarters having done so. I, for one, am gratified to know that she is defending this choice in her book. Too many commentators, often “unnamed sources,” have critiqued this selection on her part as “soft” while in fact it is heroic and needed. Anyone who writes off this decision as less than hard diplomacy is either ignorant of the implications and consequences of subjugating half the world’s population or, worse, a conscious bigot – I will use the word – a misogynist.
There was a Q & A during which the feed broke down on me, but the morning headlines indicate that she was asked about the recent prisoner exchange and quite appropriately declined to second guess current members of the administration on that issue.
I took some screen shots, most of which are as visually degraded as the audio feed was, but you get the general idea. The first is a twitpic of the venue prior to the event.
Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67th U.S. Secretary of State from 2009 until 2013, after nearly four decades in public service. Her “smart power” approach to foreign policy repositioned American diplomacy and development for the 21st century. Clinton played a central role in restoring America’s standing in the world, reasserting the United States as a Pacific power, imposing crippling sanctions on Iran and North Korea, responding to the Arab Awakening and negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East. Earlier, as First Lady and Senator from New York, she traveled to more than 80 countries as a champion of human rights, democracy, and opportunities for women and girls. Clinton also worked to provide health care to millions of children, create jobs and opportunity, and support first responders who risked their lives at Ground Zero. In her historic campaign for President, Clinton won 18 million votes.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
EVENT CENTER – SAN JOSE
STATE UNIVERSITY – 8:00PM
Get tickets!(Note: Even if you have tickets for the series, you need to purchase tickets for this event.)
Dr. Samantha Nutt, Executive Director of War Child Canada, a physician with more than sixteen years of experience working in war zones, was the emcee at the Unique Lives event with Hillary Clinton in Toronto. Since, unlike in her days at the State Department, it is impossible to get transcripts of most of her more recent speeches, using the tools at hand, I snatched these quotes from Twitter. Hillary, upon introduction, addressed the crowd of 5000 with these remarks.
“Hello Canada – just a few hours away from Summer.”
“I happen to think everyone has a unique life. We have to do a better job of honoring and lifting up that uniqueness”
She gave advice as well as stating maxims, some of which we have heard often. Here are some quotes that were tweeted by several in the audience.
“Work hard. Take responsibility. Care about others.”
“Women’s rights are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights.”
“Dare to compete!”
When she spoke about 9/11, several tweeted that in a room of 5000 you could hear a pin drop.
Speaking about taking on the role of Secretary of State, she said.
“We talked about it and he wore me down.”
She advised the audience to put a sense of a common good ahead of competition or personal interest, and also mentioned her plans for initiatives with the Clinton Foundation.
This speech, unlike some others we have heard and read, apparently had a refrain. It made an impression, and the tweeters picked it up. She told them:
“It is important in today’s world that we all find a way to serve. Get caught trying.”
“Get caught trying to shatter the inequalities that make-up our social fabric.”
“Game changers are those who have dared to compete, and win for all.We should all aspire to get caught trying”
On the subject of women: “If the structural barriers limiting women in the U,S. were removed, our GDP would increase 9%”
She ended with this.
“Get caught trying…to make a difference…to build bridges…help those less fortunate. Get caught trying!!!”
A Q&A followed. Asked, apparently, to elaborate on the subject of women, politics, and sexism – particularly the sexism that has been directed at her, she offered the following.
“Live life with purpose and principle!”
“Real empowerment of women is unfinished business in the 21st century.”
Responding to sexism in politics:
“Take criticism seriously, but not personally.”
“I have a different reaction now…I don’t care anymore”
“If you take everything people say about you personally, it can be paralyzing…but take note, you might learn something.”
“I think it’s important that in today’s complex world all of us should look for ways to serve.”
On diplomacy:
“We don’t have to like everyone, we don’t have to agree with everyone, but we should never de-humanize anyone”
“Don’t talk past each other. Engage. Look for common ground.”
“Much of what you do in diplomacy is continuing to push that rock up a hill.”
Saying she wasn’t prepared for the technological election in 2008. One of the lessons she learned was that it is no longer enough to just present your case.
“I was not prepared for a modern election.. It’s no longer enough to just present your case”
“I did join Twitter. Come follow me!”
Asked what she would do if she could do it all over again, she responded that she would spend more time outdoors in nature and that she feels increasing responsibility to preserve what resources we have.
On women in the corporate world:
“More women on boards make a difference.”
“A woman will say an idea in a meeting and its passed over, and an hour later a man says the same idea and everyone agrees.”
“There is a correlation between women on corporate boards and the success of that corporation “
When Nutt tried to nudge a 2016 hint out of her she said, “Hypothetically speaking, I hope there is a female president in my lifetime”
She closed out with a question about her legacy at the State Department saying her greatest accomplishment as SOS was restoring America’s reputation. Unique Lives tweeted that she received a standing ovation. Was there ever any question?
The most traveled secretary of state ever, Hillary Clinton, is about cover considerable air miles this month as a private citizen. June will see her in Florida, Chicago. Toronto, and Los Angeles making her supporters in those locations .very happy campers.
Wednesday of this week, she will deliver the keynote speech at Pershing’s INSITE 2013at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood Florida.
Mid-Month the Clinton clan heads to Chicago for several days.CGI America will commence on the 12th with registration from 3 – 9 p.m. and run through the 14th. Hillary will deliver remarks at the plenary session on the 13th. Also on the 13th, at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, she will be honored by CURE – Citizens for Research in Epilepsy. On Sunday, the 16th, she will deliver the keynote address at the SHRM 2013 Annual Conference & Exposition at McCormick Place.
This private blog is about Hillary Clinton's work. It is intended to support, promote, and appreciate Hillary Clinton's efforts and initiatives, all of them – past, current, and future. Onward together! “Resist, insist, persist, enlist.” - Hillary Rodham Clinton
Search this blog
The Office of Hillary Rodham Clinton
Welcome to the Office of
Hillary Rodham Clinton
*Read about Hillary's life
*See Hillary's current projects
*Learn about Hillary's vision for America
*Send Hillary a note
Onward Together
“Resist, insist, persist, enlist.” Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Clinton on Facebook
Hillary Clinton on Facebook
@HillaryClinton on Twitter
Follow Hillary on Twitter!
What Happened
Hillary Clinton's 2016 election memoir
Too Small to Fail
“One of the best investments we can make is to give our kids the ingredients they need to develop in the first five years of life.” — Hillary Rodham Clinton
The Clinton Foundation on Facebook
Like the Clinton Foundation on Facebook!
Flint Child Health & Development Fund
"If you can, please chip in to support the Flint Child Health & Development Fund, which is working to provide health care and educational support to families in Flint affected by this crisis." - Hillary Clinton
Thank you for everything, Mme. Secretary!!!!
Thank you for all of your dedicated service and brilliant leadership!
Hillary Clinton’s Cover Letter to Congress on the ARB Report
Hillary because…
She would NEVER have allowed social safety nets to be "on the table."
Read the unclassified ARB Report on Benghazi here.
@U.S. Senate: Time to ratify LOST!
"... ratify the Law of the Sea Convention, which has provided the international framework for exploring these new opportunities in the Arctic. We abide by the international law that undergirds the convention, but we think the United States should be a member, because the convention sets down the rules of the road that protect freedom of navigation, provide maritime security, serve the interests of every nation that relies on sea lanes for commerce and trade, and also sets the framework for exploration for the natural resources that may be present in the Arctic." -HRC, 06-03-12, Tromso Norway
"I deeply resent those who attack our country, the generosity of our people and the leadership of our president in trying to respond to historically disastrous conditions after the earthquake." - HRC 01-26-10
Good Advice!
“You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors. Eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.” HRC
Hillary! Leadership we need!
Politics & Foreign Policy
"What I have always found is that when it comes to foreign policy, it is important to remember that politics stops at the water's edge." -HRC 11-04-10
What a difference one woman can make!
"...whether it’s here, in the absolute best embassy in the world, or whether it’s in Washington, or whether it’s elsewhere, what a difference one woman can make. And that woman is right here, the woman who needs no introduction, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton." 07.05.10 - Unidentified speaker, Embassy Yerevan
Most Respected
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you your Secretary of State, and perhaps the most respected person on the world stage today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton." - Jon Huntsman 05-23-2010
Hillary Clinton Express Facebook Group
Your one stop spot for Hillary Clinton News!
Supporters of “The People’s President,” Hillary Rodham Clinton
Together 4 us! Facebook Page
Uppity Woman
The place to go if you feel like you're the only woman who wants to punch her own TV set.
Jenny’s Jumbo Jargon
Elephant Watch
Favorite Quote
“When people attack you, you always have to remember that a lot of what others say about you has a lot more to do about them than you.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton
Still4Hill 