SAN FRANCISCO — Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at Davies Symphony’s Hall in San Francisco on Oct. 7 to discuss her new book with Laurene Powell Jobs.
The event opened with a video paying tribute to her legacy from Chelsea Clinton and Barack Obama. As Clinton greeted the audience, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Clinton began her talk by urging the audience to enlist people they know to vote in states that are at risk in the upcoming presidential election. According to a report from Guttmacher Institute, there are currently 41 states that have abortion bans in effect and 13 total abortion bans.
Jobs asked Clinton the meaning behind her book title, “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, & Liberty.” Early this year, while Clinton was watching the Grammys she saw Joni Mitchell perform her song, “Both Sides Now.” In the lyrics it talks about something that is lost and something that is gained.
“We all lose, we lose people we love, we lose opportunities, we lose our health maybe for a while or permanently and loss is a part of living,” said Clinton. We have to learn how to deal with loss and then whatever we gain we have to put it in perspective.”
In June 2022, women lost their reproductive rights due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Clinton has fought tirelessly for women’s rights and she has said previously we cannot go back. Kimberley Rodler, an audience member, commended Clinton for her work. Rodler wore what she called a “shero dress” which depicts the women and heroes of democracy by artist, Tina Duryea. This included: Vice President Kamala Harris, Clinton, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“It means so much to be here with fellow activists who have made hundreds and thousands of calls, knocked on doors for her,” said Rodler about her volunteer work for the Harris campaign. “I’ve just returned from Arizona where I knocked on 199 voters’ doors. I will continue to do so and I am going to seven states.”
Voters like Holly Rittenhouse are concerned about the outcome of reproductive rights in the upcoming presidential election.
“Kamala has to win and I do really hope that they reinstate Roe v. Wade. I was in college when all this happened,” said Rittenhouse. “I’m 69 years old and I just took it for granted and never in my wildest dreams did I think it would not be a choice.”
When audience members were asked what the greatest threat to American democracy is today, overwhelmingly their answer was former president Donald Trump. Robert Camacho has worked with Clinton personally as part of her finance team in 2016 and now is working for Harris at the White House Office of Public Engagement.
“After this election, it will decide if our Constitution and our democracy continues or if it dies,” said Camacho.
