‘Full Participation of Women and Girls’ Is ‘Great Unfinished Business of 20th Century,’ Hillary Says at UN Speech

DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Hillary Clinton delivered the keynote address at the United Nations’ Women Empowerment Principles event on Tuesday, ignoring the email scandal that has followed her in recent weeks to instead discuss women’s rights.

“We are not there yet,” the former secretary of state said. Clinton called “full participation of women and girls” the “great unfinished business of the 20th century.” The issue, she said, is “personal” to her.

Clinton also spoke of her mother, noting her “grit and grace” and the lessons her mother taught her. The potential 2016 presidential candidate said she learned to “work hard, have integrity, provide service for others and create a life others would be proud of” from her mom.

Finally, Clinton said, as a grandmother she aims to ensure that “all children have the same opportunities to live up to their God-given potential.” That mission she said, is “up to us to make sure the world is worthy for them.”

Clinton got some extra applause Tuesday before she even spoke. When U.N. Executive Director of Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka introduced the former first lady, she seemed to hint about 2016, referring to one of the day’s speakers — presumably Clinton — as “a future president.”

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