What Hillary Clinton Taught Me About Leadership

The first time I met Hillary Clinton was in 2016, at a moment when history felt within reach. She was just about to shatter one of the highest glass ceilings by becoming the first woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination. For so many of us, she represented not just a candidate, but a movement, one that believed in the power of public service, the importance of resilience, and the necessity of fighting for what’s right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

That first meeting left a lasting impression on me, but what has been even more impactful is the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to stay in touch with her throughout the years. Recently, I saw her again in person, twice, and each time, I was reminded of why she has been such a defining figure in my life and work.

Hillary Clinton isn’t just a symbol of perseverance; she is a leader who continues to inspire action, long after the campaign lights have dimmed.

One of the most important lessons I’ve taken from Hillary’s leadership is that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship, it’s about continuing to fight, even when the world tells you to stop.

As a queer advocate in the Deep South, I know what it feels like to be dismissed, underestimated, and told that change is impossible. I know what it’s like to push forward when every system around you is designed to hold you back. But I also know that real change only happens when people refuse to back down. Hillary never backed down, not when she was the first woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, not when she endured decades of attacks, and not when she continued to speak up even after an election loss that would have broken most people.

Her example has shaped my work as an LGBTQ+ advocate, as a leader in Central Alabama Pride, and as someone fighting to rebuild the Democratic Party in Alabama. She taught me that setbacks are temporary, but the work we do, when it’s done with passion and purpose can last for generations.

Another defining trait of Hillary’s leadership is her deep understanding of the issues. She is a policy expert in the truest sense, and she never approached leadership with arrogance, she approached it with preparation. She understood that making people’s lives better requires more than good intentions; it requires knowing exactly how to do it.

That lesson has stayed with me as I work on projects ranging from organizing Pride events to building Blueprint Alabama. It’s not enough to have a vision, you have to do the hard work, study the details, and be ready to answer the tough questions. Hillary taught me that if you want to create real change, you better know your stuff.

Despite the constant challenges she has faced, Hillary Clinton has always found time to uplift others, especially those who are often overlooked. Whether it was advocating for women’s rights on the global stage, championing children’s healthcare, or inspiring the next generation of public servants, she has never let the personal attacks against her take away from her larger mission: leaving the world better than she found it.

That commitment to lifting others up is something I try to carry with me in every space I enter. Whether it's mentoring young LGBTQ+ leaders, organizing voter mobilization efforts, or fighting for marginalized voices in Alabama politics, I remind myself of Hillary’s words: “Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, for as long as you can.”

Hillary Clinton didn’t just inspire me once, she has continued to shape my approach to leadership over the years. Each time I’ve had the chance to reconnect with her, I’ve been struck by how deeply she cares about the work that still needs to be done. She’s never stopped pushing for progress, and neither can we.

Her resilience fuels my own. Her depth of knowledge pushes me to always be prepared. Her commitment to service reminds me that leadership is not about power, but about purpose.

As I continue my own work, whether it’s rebuilding Democratic infrastructure in Alabama, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, or helping young leaders find their voice, I do so with the lessons I learned from watching Hillary Clinton.

And when the road gets tough, when the setbacks come, and when the fight feels impossible, I remember one of her greatest lessons: keep going.

Because that’s what true leaders do.