Hillary Rodham Clinton

This thesis will investigate the ways in which Hillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady of the United States and the Junior United States Senator from New York State, appropriated strategies of liberal feminism in her political career as the first modern, working mother to serve as First Lady. A feminist First Lady, Clinton broke through the social expectations placed upon that role in an unprecedented manner by taking an active part in the political strategy and substance of her husband's administration. Her successful campaign for the United States Senate in 2000 as the first former First Lady to hold such an office proved that she has her own political clout independent of her husband. Hillary Rodham Clinton has all the marks of a liberal feminist success story: a strong political background and educational credentials, unfettered ambition, mastery of public discourse, her own political identity, and a real commitment to tough policymaking and representation in Washington. Yet despite this success, liberal feminism presents problems for the women's movement generally. After mapping the history of Hillary Rodham Clinton as a feminist political figure, I will examine whether liberal feminism is adequate in challenging patriarchal structures and other related forms of domination.