GRAND Magazine - September/October 2016 - 20

cover story

CONNECT WITH GRAND

Continued from previous page

HC: Being a grandmother makes you think
a lot about the future. I'm constantly thinking about what the world will look like when
Charlotte and Aidan are grown, and what I
can do to make sure they have every opportunity to live happy and healthy lives. Most of
all, I want them to grow up in a fair and prosperous country, one where every child has the
opportunity to reach his or her potential.
GRAND: GRAND Magazine chose
That means building an economy everyyou as GRANDPerson of the
one can be part of and where anyone who
Year in recognition of your body
wants to work can find a good job that pays
of work on behalf of children
enough to support a family. It means ensurand families, including working
Hillary Clinton & Che
ing every child has access to a quality edulsea
for the Children's Defense Fund, co-founding
cation-from pre-K all the way to college-
the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, creating the
and that families have affordable child care and healthcare. And it
Children's Health Insurance Program to cover 8 million children,
means keeping our communities safe.
fighting for women's rights as human rights, and demanding
Fighting for kids and families has been the cause of my career,
healthcare for 9/11 responders. What are you personally most
and being a grandmother has really reinforced my commitment
proud of accomplishing?
to this work-and my belief in planting seeds for gardens that you
won't necessarily see.
HC: Well it's an honor to be chosen, so thank you for that. Of all of
the roles I've played and all of the work I've done over the years, I'm
GRAND: When you are president and the most powerful
most proud of what I've been able to do to improve the lives of kids.
woman in the world, what will you work to change for women
I've met so many young people who have touched my life with their
and girls in our country and around the world?
strength and courage-like Ryan Moore, who spoke at the Democratic
Convention about what healthcare reform meant to him and his family.
HC: We've come a long way when it comes to expanding rights
When I met Ryan 20 years ago, he was 7 years old and wearing a full
and opportunities for women and girls, but we have a lot left to do.
body brace. It was incredible to see him stand on the stage and share his
Women still face too many barriers to entering and succeeding in
story. I'm so grateful to have met so many young people like Ryan who
the workforce. Too many women are still earning less than men, and
motivate me to keep fighting every day.
too many mothers are working minimum wage jobs and raising their
children in poverty.
GRAND: You once said that instead of making you want to
Right now we're making it tough to balance work and family.
slow down, the prospect of having a grandchild inspired you to
That's true for all parents, but it's especially true for women.
speed up. I'm guessing that means you feel a sense of urgency
Women are still the primary caretakers in families, and they're
to create a better world for our grandchildren. Can you tell us
increasingly the breadwinners too. And many can't get time off to
more about that-what you, specifically, feel an urge to address
take care of a new baby or a sick relative.
on a larger scale?

I have a fierce
commitment to helping
children reach for their
dreams-not just my
own grandchildren but
all children.

20 GRAND

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2016

Hillary and Bill Clinton
with

grandbaby Charlotte

We've got to change this.
As president, I'll fight to raise the minimum wage. And I'll push
Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would make
it harder for employers to justify paying men and women different
wages for the same work. It would also allow millions of workers
to discuss their compensation openly so they will know if they're
being paid unfairly and can do something about it.
And I'll work to put family-friendly policies in place-like paid
leave, affordable childcare and universal pre-K. I've proposed tax
credits to help families defray the cost of caring for an ill or aging
family member. And I'll keep fighting to protect women's access to
reproductive healthcare, and to advance the rights of women and
girls at home and around the world.
Continued on next page

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - September/October 2016