Nearly 1,000 women experts and innovators from 40 different nations descended on Downtown Houston for the three-day 2017 International Women’s Forum World Leadership Conference to explore the most pressing topics and issues currently facing our interconnected world under this year’s theme, “Global Citizens: Interconnected, Inquisitive, Engaged.”

The culminating event was IWF Hall of Fame Gala with Hall of Fame inductee Hillary Rodham Clinton. Annually, IWF honors women who have made groundbreaking precedents through their work and example. Clinton joins a list that includes past inductees Rosa Parks, American Civil Rights Activist; Wangari Maathai, Nobel Laureate & Environmental Activist; Audrey Hepburn, Humanitarian & Actress; The Honorable Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland; and Betty Friedan, Author & Feminist Leader.

“Secretary Clinton has repeatedly redefined views on what women can achieve. Over the arc of her distinguished career, she has used her voice and influence to advance the status of women and girls everywhere,” said IWF President Teresa Weintraub.

Bonded together by more than 6,500 dynamic, influential women leaders in 33 countries and 74 forums around the world, IWF has had the sole purpose of bringing diverse groups of women together from all over the globe to exchange ideas, learn, inspire, and build better leadership for a changing world since 1974.

In addition to Secretary Clinton’s Hall of Fame induction, nine other women were honored with the Woman Who Makes a Difference Awards. The 2017 honorees were all very inspirational as they told their personal testimonies of the changes they have made not only in their communities but also worldwide.

The mood of the night was heightened once attorney, advocate, former First Lady, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and the first woman to win a major party nomination for President of the United States the Honorable Hillary Clinton graced the stage. With a wonderful presentation recapping a few pivotal points in her life, the guest of honor made her way out. The room filled with a thunderous applause as many rose to their feet when Secretary Clinton emerged from behind the black drapes on to the stage. While thanking everyone in the room, Clinton made it a point to say, “Thank you Houston and Harris County for going BLUE in your latest Presidential Election!” She knew Houston was With Her. Acknowledging the strides she made in the political arena, Clinton knows more needs to be done. “I firmly believe the only way we are going to get sexism out of politics is to get more women into politics. I don’t think that applies just to politics. I think it applies to every industry,” she said.

Clinton’s speech was solely focused on the efforts of IWF and why it was an honor for her to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. "I want to be on the side of the problem solvers - not the problem explainers or exaggerators,” commented Clinton in her more than 20-minute speech. The 30-year IWF member concluded her speech with a challenge to the packed crowd on their personal role in today’s society. “We all in our own lives, in our families, and in our communities have a role to play in lifting up all women and honoring the success that they could have with the help and support of women like us.”

The evening was definitely one to remember and it would not have been possible with out the efforts of IWF Global and Conference co-chairs former Houston mayor Annise Parker and Gracie Cavnar. For more information on IWF Global please visit www.iwforum.org