Hillary Clinton took the stage at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago Thursday to outline her commitment to early childhood education, opportunities for women and girls and the need for economic development in the United States in what technically wasn't a campaign speech.
But after her husband's introduction, her detailed agenda, and even some anecdotes about her childhood in nearby Park Ridge, observers could easily envision what a 2016 campaign for the former secretary of state would look like following her appearance.
"It is such a pleasure to be here in Chicago participating as a private citizen as a co-host," Clinton told the audience at the third annual Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) meeting for the organization founded by former President Bill Clinton. Following her decision to resign as secretary of state, Clinton joined her husband's foundation-- which focuses on global health and economies and the environment.
That organization is being renamed the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation, Clinton noted.
She referenced her experience several times during her speech, taking time to joke about the record-number of trips she took while serving as secretary of state. "So after visiting 112 nations over four years-- I'm still jet-lagged," she said, noting the research and experience she gained about how to help international communities.
Clinton used her appearance Thursday to outline the agenda she plans to pursue in her new role at the foundation. She said she will focus on early childhood education-- something currently being heavily promoted by President Barack Obama through his universal pre-kindergarten initiative-- and applying the latest brain research to young people's development. She will advocate for economic development as a means to help people achieve the dream of having a "good job" and caring for their families. And she said she also plans to continue encouraging equal opportunities and equal pay for women, and involving women in all aspects of society.
"When women participate in the economy, everyone benefits. This also should be a no-brainer," Clinton said. "When women participate in peace-making and peacekeeping, we are all safer and more secure. And when women participate in politics, the effects ripple out across society."
That last line-- the only clear allusion to her potential presidential campaign-- drew wide applause from the audience.
The speech was delivered in Chicago, a city now best known politically as the home of the current president.
But Clinton on Thursday staked her own claim to Chicago during remarks about the economy, noting it was the city of her birth, touting its status as a rising phoenix and offering her own anecdotes.
She said that at the heart of America, as her husband "is fond of saying," is the belief that "if you work hard and play by the rules, you will prosper, you will be able to make a better life for yourself and your family."
"I learned that lesson not far from here growing up in Park Ridge," Clinton said. "One of my earliest memories as a little girl is helping my father in his small fabric printing business here in Chicago, lifting the silk screen, holding the paint squeegee."
She said a lot has changed. "But our values still inspire the world and they still can guide our way forward."
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/hillary-clinton-addresses-education-women-economy-renamed-clinton-164557453.html
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