Hillary Clinton launches children’s project at Chicago meeting
Hillary Rodham Clinton launched a new early childhood initiative Friday aimed at improving the lives of young children, her first venture since joining the foundation created by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
The former secretary of state announced a partnership called “Too Small to Fail” on the sidelines of the Clinton Global Initiative America conference in Chicago. Clinton will partner with Next Generation, a nonpartisan group that promotes scientific research about early childhood development.
“Our country’s future depends on healthy kids and loving families. They’re the building blocks of a strong and prosperous society,” Clinton says in a 4-minute video describing the initiative.
The former first lady and New York senator has been involved in early childhood development throughout her career. After law school, she worked as an attorney for the Children’s Defense Fund, a children’s advocacy group. Her 1996 best-selling book, “It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us,” addressed ways that families and community groups can partner to help children develop.
Clinton remains a heavy favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 if she decides to run for the White House again. She ended her tenure as President Barack Obama’s secretary of state in February and is working on a book about her time at the State Department and delivering paid speeches around the country.
The new project aims to help parents improve learning and health, and to get businesses to help improve conditions for families. It will promote new research on children’s brain development and the role of nutrition and health on the development of kids.
Mrs. Clinton opened the two-day meeting Thursday by outlining her priorities in her new role with the Clinton Foundation. They include working on issues such as improving early childhood education and development, promoting the rights of women and girls in the United States and around the globe and helping spur economic growth.