For someone whose biography has been written in public milestones, it was striking to hear her speak in a register that wasn’t about legacy or victory or policy. She spoke about what matters when the cameras are off, what remains when titles stop being the most important words in your life.
The public knows the outline of her story. She became a national figure early, and she stayed one. She moved through decades of political life that were both historic and punishing—often at the same time. She became a senator and helped shape legislation. She served as secretary of state during years of global instability. She ran for president and came closer than any woman before her at the time, carrying both the hope of a breakthrough and the bitter reality of what it costs to attempt one.
