First Ladies of Americas Embrace Visiting Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton came to South America to give a boost to women and got a boost herself from her fellow first ladies of the Americas.

“I’m new at this job, and you’re a role model for me,” one said in a note she slipped to Mrs. Clinton after the U.S. first lady spoke Wednesday of the need for more women in leadership roles, said her chief of staff, Melanne Verveer.

One after another, they embraced her and shared private comments. In public, no one even hinted at President Clinton’s affair with former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky.

Mrs. Clinton, attending an annual conference of first ladies of the Americas, stuck to her topic.

“Empowerment of women is as critical for a vibrant democracy as are issues like trade, diplomacy and national security,” she said.

While complaining that “women still do not hold enough positions of authority, responsibility and power,” she noted with approval that “today a growing number of countries require a minimum level of women’s participation in local and national elections.”

Her day began with a visit to an art museum, where she and the other first ladies viewed an exhibit of art created by Chilean children under the guidance of professional artists from each of the countries represented at the conference.

“What a wonderful idea!” Mrs. Clinton enthused, her arm around Chilean First Lady Marta Larraeches de Frei, who had suggested the exhibit. The first ladies tousled the hair of some of the young artists and chatted with them before strolling around the garden, greeting the professional artists along the way.