Under the leadership of the former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Dr. Kerry Healey, and United States District Judge Stephen G. Larson of the Central District of California, the women participated in two weeks of intensive legal seminars, roundtable events, and consultations with senior officials from the State of California and the U.S. government, including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The women explored current topics in the Afghan and American legal systems, legal decision-making and mediation, domestic violence, family and mental health, and narcotics law, while gaining hands-on exposure to the American judicial system.
Hillary Clinton is the new US Secretary of State and, yes, she's already hard at work. Below are two photos of meeting with the Afghan women.
The meeting took place Friday, her second day on the job. The Afghan women were fourteen judges and attorneys who had been taking part in the State Dept's Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan. The Secretary declared, "Your American friends greatly admire your bravery and courage. It is your work in the tough environment of Afghanistan for women lawyers that will bring real reform and the rule of law to the Afghan people. As President Obama made clear yesterday in his first foreign policy announcement, we are committed to supporting your efforts to bring security and stability to your country."
Her first day on the job as the 67th US Secretary of State was Thursday which consisted of introductions and setting the mission, "There are three legs to the stool of American foreign policy: defense, diplomacy, and development. And we are responsible for two of the three legs. And we will make clear, as we go forward, that diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States. And I will do all that I can, working with you, to make it abundantly clear that robust diplomacy and effective development are the best long-term tools for securing America's future."
Click here to read her speech in full, click here for video of the speech. She and her speech were a huge hit.
Working our way backwards, she was confirmed and then sworn in Wednesday with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, at her side.
