Hillary Clinton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 28, 2026

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 representing New York, and First Lady during Bill Clinton's presidency. As a member of the Democratic Party, she made history as the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. party in 2016, also winning the popular vote, though ultimately losing the election to Donald Trump. Notably, she is the only former First Lady to have pursued and achieved elected office.

Sections (6)

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

1977: Appointed to board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation

Later in 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Hillary Rodham to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation.

1978: Served as chair of the Legal Services Corporation

From 1978 until the end of 1981, Hillary Rodham held a position on the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation. From mid-1978 to mid-1980, she served as the first female chair of that board.

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 Legal Services Corporation

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

1988: 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: One of the 100 most influential lawyers in America

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

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

On November 7, 2000, Hillary Clinton won the election for U.S. Senator in New York with 55 percent of the vote.

2000: "It Takes a Village" sales update

By 2000, Hillary Clinton's book "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us" had sold 450,000 copies in hardcover and another 200,000 in paperback.

It Takes a Village, and Other Lessons Children Teach Us

Check it on Amazon

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: Filegate Independent Counsel report

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

2000: Whitewater controversy final report

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 U.S. Senator, and simultaneously held the titles of First Lady and Senator – a first in U.S. history, until January 20, 2001.

2003: Publication of memoir "Living History"

In 2003, Simon & Schuster released Hillary Clinton's memoir "Living History", which set a first-week sales record for a nonfiction work and sold more than one million copies in the first month.

Living History

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November 7, 2006: Hillary Clinton wins New York Senate seat

On November 7, 2006, Hillary Clinton won the election for the New York Senate seat with 67 percent of the vote against John Spencer.

2008: Clinton gains a surprise win in the New Hampshire primary

In 2008, Hillary Clinton gained a surprise win in the New Hampshire primary, narrowly defeating Barack Obama. It was the first time a woman had won a major American party's presidential primary for the purposes of delegate selection.

January 21, 2009: Clinton confirmed as Secretary of State

On January 21, 2009, Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State in the full Senate by a vote of 94-2, resigning from the Senate later that day. She became the first former first lady to be a member of the United States Cabinet.

October 2009: Clinton Secures Turkish-Armenian Accord Signing

In October 2009, Hillary Clinton's intervention in Switzerland managed to secure the final signing of a Turkish-Armenian accord that established diplomatic relations and opened the border between the two nations.

2011: Appointed Honorary Founding Chair of Institute for Women, Peace and Security

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

June 5, 2016: Clinton Becomes Presumptive Nominee

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

July 26, 2016: Clinton Formally Nominated at Democratic National Convention

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