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Chelsea Clinton Plays Up Hillary’s Commitment to Women and Kids at DNC

Chelsea Clinton talks during the Democratic National Convention, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Image by Getty Images

By Josefin Dolsten July 29, 2016

Chelsea Clinton shared personal anecdotes about Hillary Clinton as a mother and emphasized her commitment to women and children’s issues in her Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Calling Hillary “my wonderful, thoughtful, hilarious mother,” Chelsea in many ways mirrored Bill Clinton’s address the previous night, in which he showed the human side to the Democratic presidential nominee by sharing stories of their courtship.

Chelsea appeared calm and collected as she spoke of her mother’s commitment to improving the lives of children, yet much of her speech focused on parenthood rather than public policy.

“That feeling of being valued and loved, that’s what my mom wants for every child. It is the calling of her life,” Chelsea said, although she did not offer how Hillary’s policies would do so.

In between personal anecdotes, Chelsea continued to bring back the focus to Hillary’s commitment to improving the lives of women, children.

“She’s worked to make it easier for foster kids to be adopted… For women around the world to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to have more opportunities,” she said.

In her speech, Chelsea also acknowledged the privilege she experienced growing up.

“My parents raised me to know how lucky I was that I never had to worry about food on the table, that I never had to worry about a good school to go to, that I never had to worry about a safe neighborhood to play in,” she said, adding that she wanted to instill the same values in her and Jewish husband Marc Mezvinsky’s children, Charlotte and Aidan.

Before leaving the stage, Chelsea introduced the next speaker: “My mother, my hero and our next president, Hillary Clinton.”

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton at the Democratic National Convention, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Image by Getty Images

Contact Josefin Dolsten at [email protected] or on Twitter, @JosefinDolsten

Josefin Dolsten is a New York-based writer who has reported for the Forward, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Times of Israel and other Jewish publications. She currently works as an account director at Fenton Communications, supporting organizations that work to advance racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights and more. Dolsten earned her B.A. in government from Cornell University and her M.A. in comparative religion and Jewish studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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