Young Photos of Hillary Clinton

Long before Yale Law, the White House, the State Department, and so many other highlights of her remarkable life, she was Hillary Diane Rodham, the loving child who, with much love and support from her parents, was encouraged to study and pursue any career interests she chose.

Born on October 26, 1947, Hillary Clinton was committed to change at a young age. She enrolled at Wellesley College in 1965 where she mixed her academic courses with school government. Upon graduation, she spoke during her commencement ceremony addressing her fellow graduating class of 1969, “The challenge now is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible."

In 1969, the already notable figure attended the Yale Law School, where she served on the Board of Editors of Yale Law Review and Social Action. It was at the university’s library where she met Bill Clinton, and later became the dynamic political duo we know today.

In addition to serving as First Lady of the United States in the '90s, after her husband's tenure as president, Clinton served on the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2009 and was a major advocate for healthcare reform and community outreach. Under President Barack Obama, she served as Secretary of State before becoming the Democratic Party's first female presidential candidate during her run in 2016.

While she is no longer in office, she continues to support social and political programs through her work at the Clinton Foundation. Her life and career are marked by her commitment to progressive reform. For her birthday, L’OFFICIEL looks back at her early life and career.