The next few months will determine whether Hillary Clinton stamps an indelible mark on the history books by becoming the first female president of the United States and, arguably, the most powerful person in the world
Much has been made of her battle with fellow Democrat Barrack Obama and her plans for office, not to mention her previous stint in The White House.
She recently spoke to us about her upbringing, her inspiration and her views on issues from parenting to the environment.
Here's what she said...
What were you like as a teenager or in school?
Hillary Clinton: Think of the students in the movie Grease or the television show Happy Days and that's very much like the world I grew up in. And I remember watching the Ed Sullivan Show every Sunday night with my family.
I was interested in politics at an early age. I successfully ran for student council and junior class Vice President. During my senior year, I ran for student government President against several boys and lost. I wasn't surprised about losing, but I really minded when one of my opponents told me I was 'really stupid if I thought a girl could be elected President.'
Family life was important for me and my friends, and I spent a lot of time at my church, the First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge. My active involvement in the church opened my eyes and heart to the needs of others and helped instill a sense of social responsibility rooted in my faith.
What do you do to relax and take time for yourself?
Hillary Clinton: I don't have a lot of free time now that the campaign is in full swing, but whenever I have days off, I like catching up with friends and family. I also try to catch up on some of my favourite TV shows like Grey's Anatomy. For exercise, I like to walk. Sometimes Bill and I get an afternoon off, and we can go out walking in our neighbourhood, which is good for us and a real treat!
Do you like to read? If so, what are some of your favorite books?
Hillary Clinton: I do like to read but find it harder and harder to find the time. My reading is eclectic, from biography to mystery to the classics. One book that had a profound effect on me was The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen. It was given to me by a friend in 1994 after I had experienced some tragic and painful losses. I was reading a lot of Scripture and theology and other books of inspiration at the time. This book struck a responsive chord, because the story is such a moving and constructive parable about what matters in life.
Who was your inspiration?
Hillary Clinton: My mum, first and foremost. She overcame a very challenging childhood and is a great role model for me. I'm also inspired by women like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth and the abolitionists as well as the suffragists who launched their movement in New York in 1848, and spent more than 70 years lobbying and protesting and fighting to get the vote. And of course, I think of the great Eleanor Roosevelt, who carved out a pioneering role as First Lady and whose extraordinary work on everything from poverty to racial equality to women's rights continues to inspire us today.
What would you like to see American women accomplish in the next 25 years?
Hillary Clinton: I hope we will see the break of the highest and hardest glass ceiling with the election of the first woman president! That will send a powerful message around the world. As I said at the UN Conference in Beijing in 1995, 'Women's rights are human rights.' When we speak out for the rights of women and girls to have access to health care, education and economic opportunities, we are also helping to build stable democracies and ensure a safe, more secure world.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in raising children in today's world?
Hillary Clinton: In some ways I think it is harder being a girl or young woman today than it was when I was growing up. There are so many competing messages now like 'You're not thin enough' or 'You're not sexy enough.' It's overwhelming. And very young girls spend time absorbing these messages from TV or music videos instead of just going out and playing.
Part of what adults have to do is stand up for certain values and standards. You may get push back from your children, but kids secretly, I believe, appreciate those boundaries. So I think parents ought to draw those boundaries and start early enough so they can help raise their children to believe that what's most important is what goes on inside their hearts and their minds.
What have you done on a personal level to support the environment?
Hillary Clinton: We have taken quite a few steps to make sure our house is as green as possible. For example, we have switched not only lamps to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but also downlights and track lights. We've installed motion-sensor light switches so lights automatically turn off when there is no one moving in the room.
We're also reducing our demand for energy by replacing windows and doors to keep more heat and cold in. This has taken our total [kilowatt-hour consumption per year] from about 14,000 to about 4,300. We're currently working with the Rocky Mountain Institute to determine how we can best incorporate solar energy into our home.