Hillary Clinton Stops Into South Florida For Book Signing
CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – There was a line out the door as hundreds waited their turn for a little one on one time with former First Lady, and possible presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton at her signing in Coral Gables.
Mrs. Clinton autographed copies of her new book Hard Choices at Books & Books located at 265 Aragon Avenue and fans were thrilled for the opportunity to meet her in person.
"I am rather excited," smiled Beverly Jones, one of the women waiting to meet Hilary. "She's an icon, and I would like to see her once in my life."
Before taking pen in hand, Mrs. Clinton took a few (what appeared to be scripted) questions but was not asked about a presidential bid.
CLICK HERE to watch Gaby Fleischman's report
When asked about her daughter Chelsea's new baby, Mrs. Clinton replied "she is great, she's the most beautiful granddaughter ever."
Clinton, who joked that she had a "grandmother glow," said she wanted all women to grow up in a world of "full participation and shared prosperity."
"I think my granddaughter has just as much God-given potential as a boy who was born in that hospital on the same day," said Clinton.
Before the signing, Mrs. Clinton delivered the keynote presentation at the "2014 Commercial Real Estate Women Network" convention on Miami Beach where she stressed empowering women.
Clinton spoke on women who face double standards in business and politics and that governments should work to enact policies that break down barriers to equal opportunity.
During her speech she may have hinted at wanting to be the first female president when she said "when women succeed...America succeeds!"
That line drew long applause.
"These ceilings I'm describing don't just keep down women, they hold back entire economies and countries," she said, "because no country can truly thrive by denying the contributions of half of its people."
Clinton has repeatedly hit those themes as she travels the campaign trail to help Democrats in the midterm elections. On Thursday, she said the U.S. should eliminate what she called the "motherhood penalty" by requiring paid leave for new mothers. The measure, she said, would pave the way for more women to participate in the workforce.
"Laws matter," Clinton said. "I believe 100 percent in women being able to make responsible choices, but it's hardly a choice if you're working at a low-wage job, you get no leave and you can't even afford to bond with your baby because you have to get back to work."
As she weighs another bid for the White House, Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that that "grandmother glow" is what is fueling her campaign for female empowerment and gender equality around the world.
Clinton has said she expects to make a decision on a White House bid by the beginning of next year. The appearances help increase her exposure to voters in the nation's largest swing-voting state and allow her to reconnect with some of the same big-money donors who supported her and her husband's past political campaigns.
Still being able to meet and greet with her admirers is something that is mutually beneficial though.
"This is very exciting," said Norma Pinto. "I love the opportunity to meet somebody like Hillary."
Clinton wrapped up her South Florida visit with a stop at the Biltmore Hotel for a private fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. A representative with the Crist campaign said the political powerhouse helped raise $1 million dollars through the event.
RELATED CONTENT:
