Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty

by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Too many women in too many countries speak the same language of silence.

When a woman fights for power, as all women would like to, quietly or loudly,

it is questioned. And yet, there must be freedom— if we are to speak. And yes, there must be power— if we are to be heard. And when we have both (freedom and power) let us not be misunderstood. We seek only to give words to those who cannot speak (too many women in too many countries).

I remembered Chelsea reading Rigoberta’s 1983 memoir when she was in fifth grade

Rigoberta’s story of turning tragedy into activism

the choice to not just be grateful for the good things in life—that’s easy—but also to be grateful for the hard things, too. To be grateful even for our flaws.

the principle of putting people first is just as critical in an era when the world is fracturing, the planet is rapidly warming, artificial intelligence is changing everything, and democracy is hanging by a thread. Our world will need new leaders who understand how

to solve problems, feel a responsibility to address them, and are ready to take action.

directed by Nanette Burstein, which resulted in a four-part series on Hulu called, predictably, Hillary. No subject was off-limits, and I’ve

The Book of Gutsy Women, about the women who motivate us—women with the courage to stand up to the status quo, ask hard questions, and get the job done.

In my podcast called You and Me Both I talk with inspiring people making and shaping history, literature, entertainment, politics,

“Our rights were not gained by one dramatic action but from long shared struggle.”

The suffragists teach us that movements don’t always work in perfect harmony. There are disagreements and difficult trade-offs, and sometimes progress seems impossibly slow. But the suffragists never gave up. They never gave in to fear of defeat.