Hillary Clinton receives honorary degree, presidential 'charge'

<p>Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday told Agnes Scott College graduates that all women must "decide what we want to do and how we will contribute."</p><p>Clinton then listened as one of the college's most successful alumna challenged her to contribute by running for president.</p><p>Marsha Norman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Agnes Scott graduate, followed Clinton to the podium at the commencement exercise to address the class of 2005 at the women's college.</p><p>Norman encouraged the graduates to "sign up for hard work and free time and free thought and free will."</p><p>Then, gesturing to Clinton, Norman added: "Sign up for women presidents."</p><p>As Clinton smiled, appearing slightly embarrassed, the crowd cheered.</p><p>Norman and Clinton were awarded the first honorary doctorate degrees given by the small liberal arts college near Atlanta.</p><p>Clinton, a graduate of Wellesley College, another women's institution, was lauded by Agnes Scott chairwoman of the board of trustees Harriet M. King as a "defender of human rights" and "a resolute defender of the rights of women and girls."</p><p>Clinton was in Atlanta Friday for a fund-raiser for her 2006 Senate campaign in New York. She never mentioned 2008 presidential aspirations in her 19-minute speech, but she joked she might be tempted to take advantage of the "fifth year free" option offered by Agnes Scott College.</p><p>"I think every once in a while we all need a break, to see what we want to do with our lives," Clinton said.</p><p>Added Clinton: "Now it is up to each of us to decide what we want to do and how we will contribute."</p><p>Agnes Scott president Mary Brown Bullock introduced Clinton to the crowd that included 200 graduates. Bullock said the college has had other distinguished guest deliver commencement speeches but said "none has created the buzz and sense of excitement that Hillary Rodham Clinton has brought to this campus."</p><p>Bullock noted that Clinton could have accepted an invitation to speak at any college, but Clinton said she was drawn to Agnes Scott's "extraordinary record of educating women and it's commitment to carry on that legacy into the future."</p><p>Said Clinton: "There has never been a time in human history where it has been better to be a young woman alive and living in America. There has never been any generation of young women with so many choices and so many opportunities to live up to their God-given potential. With that extended opportunity comes new responsibilities."</p><p>Clinton said that in America "and increasingly around the world, women are assuming their rightful places in every walk of life, and I am very pleased about that."</p><p>Clinton is the first wife of a former U.S. president to be elected to the U.S. Senate.</p><p>"People ask me today is there still a role for women's colleges and I answer immediately 'Absolutely,' " she said. "What I hope we can do is spread women's education across the world. It could be one of America's greatest legacies."</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/5/146081