Summary

Chapter 6 broadly describes the challenges women face in politics. Secretary Clinton notes that a compelling personal narrative is always important for politicians. She admits that her own childhood in a supportive, middle class family did not inspire public interest like those of Bill or President Obama. Nonetheless, she always felt that her role in the women’s movement, first as an activist and later as a trailblazer in her own right, was equally compelling. She struggled, however, to articulate this backstory without being painted as the “woman candidate” (113).

Clinton argues that sexism plays a major role in our politics and society, even if we do not always realize it. People tend to react negatively when they see women engaged in work that they would not traditionally do. This is particularly true in sometimes aggressive world of politics. Hillary herself experienced this...