WomenvoicesHillary Clinton hillary clinton 2016

Now You Can Listen To Hillary Clinton's 1969 Wellesley Student Commencement Speech

“The challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible.”
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

Open Image Modal
Clinton was the first-ever student speaker for Wellesley College in 1969.
Wellesley College

"We’re not in the positions yet of leadership and power, but we do have that indispensable element of criticizing and constructive protest."

That's one of the many powerful statements Hillary Clinton gave in her speech to her Wellesley College peers on May 31, 1969. The then-Hillary Rodham was the first student to ever speak at Wellesley's commencement address.

"We feel that for too long our leaders have viewed politics as the art of the possible," Clinton said. "And the challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible."

The recently-released excerpts of Clinton's speech give us a glimpse into the life of a young Hillary Rodham before she became a political powerhouse. 

Watch the full clip below. 

Head to Wellesley College's home page to read Clinton's full speech. 

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

19 Perfect Quotes From Hillary Clinton
"You have to be true to yourself. You have to be enough in touch with who you are and what you want, how you want to live and what's important to you, to make your decisions based on that. Sometimes that's very difficult."(01 of19)
Open Image Modal
Marie Claire, October 18, 2012 (credit:Giphy.com)
"I have always believed that women are not victims, we are agents of change, we are drivers of progress, we are makers of peace -- all we need is a fighting chance."(02 of19)
Open Image Modal
Speech, Women in the World Summit, April 5, 2013 (credit:Associated Press)
"You show people what you're willing to fight for when you fight for your friends."(03 of19)
Open Image Modal
Cabinet and Staff Retreat at Camp David, January 1993 (credit:Giphy.com)
"Equal pay is not yet equal. A woman makes 77 cents on a dollar and women of color make 67 cents... We feel so passionately about this because we are not only running for office, but we each, in our own way, have lived it. We have seen it. We have underst(04 of19)
Open Image Modal
Democratic Primary Debate, Congressional Black Caucus Institute, January 21, 2008 (credit:Associated Press)
"I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us."(05 of19)
Open Image Modal
Concession Speech, Jun 7, 2008 (credit:Giphy.com)
"Educating young women is not only morally right, but it is also the most important investment any society can make in order to further and advance the values and the interests of the people."(06 of19)
Open Image Modal
"The Secretary," 2013 (credit:Getty Images)
"Gay rights are human rights."(07 of19)
Open Image Modal
Speech, International Human Rights Day, Geneva, Switzerland, December 6, 2011
"Part of the great challenge of living is defining yourself in your moment, of seizing the opportunities that you are given, and of making the very best choices you can."(08 of19)
Open Image Modal
Speech, University of Texas at Austin, April 7, 1993
"There's that kind of double bind that women find themselves in. On the one hand, yes, be smart, stand up for yourself. On the other hand, don't offend anybody, don't step on toes, or you'll become somebody that nobody likes because you're too assertive."(09 of19)
Open Image Modal
Midwest Today, June 1994 (credit:Giphy.com)
"There are very few people who go through life without needing anyone, without having to make any sacrifice for anyone else. In fact, it's kind of an impoverished life, if that's the attitude." (10 of19)
Open Image Modal
The New Yorker, October 13, 2003 (credit:Associated Press)
"My doctrine is the Goldilocks Doctrine -- not too hot, not too cold, just right."(11 of19)
Open Image Modal
The Atlantic, May 10, 2011
"I can't stand whining. I can't stand the kind of paralysis that some people fall into because they're not happy with the choices they've made. You live in a time when there are endless choices... Money certainly helps, and having that kind of financial p(12 of19)
Open Image Modal
Marie Claire, October 18, 2012 (credit:Getty Images)
"The world is changing beneath our feet and it is past time to embrace a twenty-first -century approach to advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls at home and across the globe."(13 of19)
Open Image Modal
Speech, Women in the World Summit, April 5, 2013 (credit:Associated Press)
"American women don't need lectures from Washington about values. We don't need to hear about an idealized world that was never as righteous or carefree as some would like to think."(14 of19)
Open Image Modal
Commencement Speech, Wellesley College, May 29, 1992
"I always believed you could learn something from nearly everybody you meet, if you're open to it."(15 of19)
Open Image Modal
"Hillary Rodham Clinton: A First Lady Of Our Time," 1993 (credit:Associated Press)
"I choose my cards. I play them to the best of my ability. Move on to the the next hand."(16 of19)
Open Image Modal
The New York Times, November 10, 2012
"If women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families(17 of19)
Open Image Modal
Speech, United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, September 5, 1995 (credit:Associated Press)
"The harder they hit, the more encouraged I get."(18 of19)
Open Image Modal
The Unique Voice Of Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1996 (credit:Giphy.com)
"There is no doubt in my mind that without the involvement of women in the economy, in politics, in peace-making, in every aspect of society, you can't realize [a country's] full potential."(19 of19)
Open Image Modal
Marie Claire, October 18, 2012 (credit:Associated Press)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip