Hillary Rodham Clinton: The First Feminist

The role of women in American politics has never been more discussed than today. By the end of 2016, the United States may have its first woman president, Hillary Rodham Clinton. No woman has ever come as far in American politics and as close to the Oval Office in the White House. In light of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s recent political success, this thesis analyzes Hillary’s life, and looks at what makes her different from other American women. It looks at the conflict between how Hillary has chosen to live her life and what American society expects of women. Hillary came of age at a time when the Western world experienced an important shift for women and their rights, and she has been an advocate for women and children since she graduated from Wellesley College. Still, she faces sexism and constant attacks because she is a woman and because she has chosen a career in politics, making her a threat to the establishment and the traditional gender roles in American society. By following Hillary Rodham Clinton’s life from early beginnings to the current 2016 primary election, using Hillary’s autobiographies, recent interviews and several news articles as primary sources, this thesis argues that Hillary can be considered the First Feminist of the United States. The thesis also argues that she has changed the situation for women in American society and politics. At the same time, this thesis uses Hillary’s experience with sexism throughout her career as evidence to support the argument that the United States struggles with sexism and the idea of a powerful woman becoming the next President of the United States