Clinton Kicks Off 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has kicked off a week of events honoring the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.

One hundred women from around the world gathered at the State Department Monday to mark the launch of the “100 Women Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls Through International Exchanges.”

Clinton told the women they are “pioneers” who inspire her and others through their roles in business, academics, government and civil society in their 92 home countries.

The women will spend three weeks participating in activities with U.S. government officials and local community leaders who work on similar issues.

This initiative is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, which brings approximately 5,200 current and emerging leaders to the United States to engage with their U.S. peers and to experience American society and culture.

Clinton has worked to make women's rights a key foreign policy issue, as first lady in the 1990s and now as the top U.S. diplomat.

Monday's kickoff is the first in a series of events that will take place over the next year to highlight key foreign policy issues that directly impact women and girls worldwide.

The 100th anniversary of International Women's Day is Tuesday. Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama will mark the day by honoring 10 women from around the world with the International Women of Courage Awards at a ceremony in Washington.

Tags: Clinton, Women
Posted in US