Hillary Clinton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Hillary Clinton. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is a prominent American politician, lawyer, and diplomat. She served as the 67th United States Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, a U.S. Senator for New York, and First Lady during Bill Clinton's presidency. As a member of the Democratic Party, Clinton made history as the first woman to secure a major party's presidential nomination in 2016 and the only woman to win the popular vote in a U.S. presidential election. Despite her popular vote victory, she lost the Electoral College to Donald Trump. Notably, she remains the only First Lady to have pursued elected office.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1979: Made full partner in Rose Law Firm

In 1979, Hillary Rodham became the first woman to be made a full partner in Rose Law Firm.

1980: Served as chair of the board

From mid-1978 to mid-1980, Hillary Rodham served as the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation board.

1988: Named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America

In 1988, Hillary Clinton was named by The National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.

1991: Named one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America

In 1991, Hillary Clinton was again named by The National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.

January 1993: Became First Lady of the United States

In January 1993, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the First Lady of the United States when Bill Clinton took office as president. She was the first in this role to have a postgraduate degree and her own professional career.

September 1995: Speech at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing

In September 1995, Hillary Clinton delivered a speech at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, advocating for women's rights as human rights and denouncing practices that abused women worldwide, including in China.

1997: Initiated Adoption and Safe Families Act

In 1997, Hillary Clinton initiated and shepherded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which she regarded as her greatest accomplishment as the first lady.

1997: Promoted State Children's Health Insurance Program

In 1997, Hillary Clinton played a leading role in promoting the creation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

1997: Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album

In 1997, Hillary Clinton received the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for the audio recording of her book "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us".

It Takes a Village, and Other Lessons Children Teach Us

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1999: Promoted Adoption and Safe Families Act and the Foster Care Independence Act

In 1999, Hillary Clinton played a leading role in promoting the creation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act and the Foster Care Independence Act.

1999: Passage of the Foster Care Independence Act

In 1999, Hillary Clinton was instrumental in the passage of the Foster Care Independence Act, which doubled federal monies for teenagers aging out of foster care.

November 7, 2000: Election to the U.S. Senate

On November 7, 2000, Hillary Clinton won the election to become a U.S. Senator for New York, defeating Rick Lazio with 55 percent of the vote.

2000: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2000, Hillary Clinton was first elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first female senator from New York.

2000: Final report on Filegate issued

In 2000, the final Independent Counsel report on the Filegate controversy found no substantial or credible evidence that Hillary Clinton had any role or showed any misconduct in the matter.

2000: Final Whitewater report issued

In 2000, the final report on the Whitewater controversy was issued, stating that there was insufficient evidence that either Bill or Hillary Clinton had engaged in criminal wrongdoing.

January 3, 2001: Sworn in as U.S. Senator

On January 3, 2001, Hillary Clinton was sworn in as a U.S. Senator for New York. From January 3 to 20, she held the titles of First Lady and Senator simultaneously – a first in U.S. history.

November 7, 2006: Clinton wins Senate election

On November 7, 2006, Hillary Clinton won the Senate election with 67 percent of the vote, defeating John Spencer and carrying all but four of New York's sixty-two counties.

2008: Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary

In 2008, Hillary Clinton placed third in the Iowa Democratic caucus but gained a surprise win in the New Hampshire primary, becoming the first woman to win a major American party's presidential primary for delegate selection.

January 21, 2009: Clinton confirmed as Secretary of State

On January 21, 2009, Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate and resigned from the Senate, becoming the first former first lady to be a member of the United States Cabinet.

October 2009: Signing of Turkish-Armenian accord

In October 2009, Hillary Clinton intervened and secured the final signing of a Turkish–Armenian accord that established diplomatic relations and opened the border between the two long-hostile nations.

2011: Appointed Honorary Founding Chair

In 2011, Hillary Clinton was appointed the Honorary Founding Chair of the Institute for Women, Peace and Security at Georgetown University.

June 5, 2016: Presumptive Nominee

By June 5, 2016, Hillary Clinton had earned enough pledged delegates and supportive superdelegates for the media to consider her the presumptive nominee.

July 26, 2016: Nominated at Democratic National Convention

On July 26, 2016, Hillary Clinton was formally nominated at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, becoming the first woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.

January 2, 2020: Appointment as Chancellor at Queen's University Belfast

On January 2, 2020, it was announced that Hillary Clinton would take up the position of Chancellor at Queen's University Belfast, becoming the 11th and first female chancellor of the university.