Despite the snow outside, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined Melissa Gates at the Kimmel Center for University Life to discuss the progress of women in areas such as employment opportunities and leadership positions on Feb. 13.
Chelsea Clinton moderated the Women and Girls Count conversation, which was held as part of the Clinton Foundation’s partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Hillary Clinton and Gates used statistics to show the impact of women’s participation in the workforce from an economic perspective, demonstrating the importance of using data. They noted the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women as a marker for change and desire toward full participation of women and girls.
“We’ve made progress, absolutely, around the world, but we haven’t made nearly enough progress,” Gates said.
No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project, an effort led by Hillary Clinton, seeks to reinforce its case by using data.
“Investing in women and girls isn’t just the smart thing to do from a moral standpoint, but it’s also the smart thing to do from an economic and a strategic standpoint,” Chelsea Clinton said.
The discussion also emphasized how the project’s goal will be achieved through new and old initiatives.
“It’s [about] encouraging parents to continue to support and to push and affirm their daughters in their ambitions,” Chelsea Clinton said.
Hillary Clinton said there are many barriers, both societal and governmental, that prevent women today from achieving their full potential.
“If we get past the laws, leveling the playing field and the regulations leveling them and all the rest, we are left with attitudes,” Hillary Clinton said.
Hillary Clinton and Gates did not exempt men from staying involved in establishing an environment that aims to increase participation of girls academically and in the workforce.
“We need to encourage girls during those key really hard years, those four years of middle school, to keep going in math and science,” Gates said.
Stern sophomore Samir Goel discussed the importance of the project’s economic argument.
“I think the practical, results-based approach that the No Ceilings Project is taking will accomplish significantly more than focusing on the ideals,” Goel said. “I like that they’re making it about empowering women and accomplishing equality rather than feministic ideals or pride.”
Building upon the progress of previous generations, Hillary Clinton and Gates stressed the importance for the discussion to continue in order to reach equality for women.
“What we are trying to do in this project is look forward 20 years,” Hillary Clinton said.
jimrussell • Feb 14, 2014 at 8:00 am
Great picture. Hillary is a serious, well educated, experienced, and internationally accomplished person. Her lightweight little angry white guy detractors are amusing pathetically tugging on her skirt tails for attention.
Spasmolytic • Feb 16, 2014 at 1:07 pm
I wish Hillary saw the importance of investing in girls and boys equally. Or maybe advocating for boys makes me a “lightweight little angry white guy”?
jimrussell • Feb 16, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I don’t think boys have suffered much from lacked of attention. Women didn’t have the vote until the 20th century and still make less than a man for equal job performance. From the start of America men had numerous rights and privileges unavailable to women. It still remains a mans world, for now. However women are graduating with college degrees at higher rates than men. So maybe after Hillary we might not see a male President for years.
Spasmolytic • Feb 17, 2014 at 11:34 am
I suspect you’re a self-loathing white male or a woman with a male avatar. Either way, there’s something seriously wrong with you.
jimrussell • Feb 17, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Actually I am a very sound and secure 21st century male. I am not an extinct Neanderthal like the soon to be intolerant therefore by definition ignorant old angry white guy Republican party
Spasmolytic • Feb 17, 2014 at 5:26 pm
There are millions of female Republican voters who disagree with you. So called liberal tolerance means these women are marginalized by you and other Democrats.
By the way, educating boys is a woman’s issue considering every mother wants to see her son succeed.
John Francis Fox • Feb 18, 2014 at 9:56 am
To Spasmolytic: You need to remember that the majority of economic resources are still controlled by men- especially in undeveloped countries. Therefore, it makes alot of sense for Ms. Clinton & other feminists to focus on the economic empowerment of women.- John Francis Fox.
Spasmolytic • Feb 18, 2014 at 12:40 pm
In The United States women control about 70% of the purchasing decisions so they are not without economic power.
PS — Factors contributing to the gender wage gap is debatable:
“Wage Gap Myth Exposed — By Feminists”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-hoff-sommers/wage-gap_b_2073804.html
John Francis Fox • Feb 18, 2014 at 12:54 pm
To Spasmolytic: You’re overlooking the fact that many women- especially women in abusive marriages- are still economically dependent on their husbands. A good example of this is the Latina woman who was recently murdered by her husband. She rejected pleas to leave him because her children were economically dependent on him. Ms. Clinton’s campaign can be a big help to women like her.- John Francis Fox.