Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recently sat down for an intimate conversation with Amanda de Cadenet of "The Conversation." The two talked about the former Secretary of State's family life, what it's like being a woman in a male-dominated arena, and what galvanized Clinton to become an advocate for women and girls around the world.
De Cadenet told The Huffington post she was surprised by how grounded Clinton was throughout their interview. "There was no pretense or ego involved. She showed up and we just started chatting," she said.
When de Cadenet asked Clinton if there was a "defining moment" that made her realize she wanted to be an advocate for women, Clinton said her moment came in two phases:
"My first phase was as a girl growing up and being told by the boys in the neighborhood that I couldn't play with them because I was a girl. Or being in junior high and being told that we should elect boys to positions of leadership in the school," Clinton told de Cadenet. "I had the experience early on that there were attitudes that people had that really separated boys from girls and in effect discriminated against girls."
“I had the experience early on that there were attitudes that people had that really separated boys from girls and in effect discriminated against girls.”
- Hillary Clinton
Clinton said the second phase came as she entered adulthood: "As I became an adult I realized how many structural barriers were in place [for women] and how hard it was for a lot of women and girls because they didn't have parents who supported them or the great public schools and opportunities that I had. I became very much involved in [promoting women]."
She said that this "divide between the sexes" doesn't need to exist, adding: "Give more women the chance for education, healthcare, for employment, for whatever it is that they dream to do."
Clinton also talked about how she deals both personally and publicly with being one of the few women in a male-dominated space. "As a woman in a high public position or seeking the presidency, as I am, you have to be aware of how people will judge you for being 'emotional,'" Clinton told de Cadenet. "It's a really delicate balancing act."
Watch the clip below to hear more about how Clinton processes these double standards.
Clinton said she ultimately processes the bullsh*t double standards she faces professionally like most of us do: With some good friends.
"You vent, sometimes rant, and then you get ready to go out and take on the issues that affect other people," she said.
And when it comes to criticism, Clinton said she takes it "seriously, but not personally.": "You take it seriously because if somebody says something that you can learn from you should. But don't let it tear you down and don't let it disable you."
Watch the full interview below.
Head over to "The Conversation" to see more from de Cadenet.
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