Hillary Clinton Praises America Ferrera’’s Activism and Talks About Their Family Pizza Parties

Chelsea Clinton added, “I know that all of us, deeply, spiritually, on a cellular level, remember the speech that she gave as Gloria [in the Barbie movie], written specifically by Greta Gerwig for her, with a lot of her own input, in which Gloria says with a little bit of exasperation and a whole lot of candor, ‘It’s literally impossible to be a woman.’ But I submit that America, with her talent, her passion, and her unwavering commitment to smashing through barriers, that she is making it possible for people today and well into the future to be fully who we are as Americans, as global citizens, as artists, and yes, as women.”

Since the election Ferrara has continued to use her platform to make a difference, advocating for issues like gender equality within the film and TV industry. Her determination and focus are just two of the qualities that made her a fitting recipient of Glamour’s Global Woman of the Year honor.

After reading her speech, you’ll understand it, too.

Read Chelsea and Hillary Clinton’s speech below:

Chelsea: I first met America Ferrara in 2008, in Nevada. Some of you were also there with us and we were campaigning together, to elect, we hoped, the first female president of the United States. And while I had already known and loved and admired America’s roles in movies including Real Women Have Curves, Ugly Betty, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I really came to know her through our campaigning together as the strong, fearless, compassionate person that she is and someone who believes so fundamentally in democracy, particularly when all of us get to participate. And I could not imagine the last 15 years of my life without America and Ryan and their children in it, and the more that I have gotten to know and love this incredible woman, the more she has reminded me of another incredible woman I’ve been lucky enough to know my entire life….

Hillary: Well I have to just say that for me, getting to know America and the joyful group of gutsy women that traveled with her those days in 2008 means that I could not be happier to be here today to see her receive this award. She is determined, she is brilliant, she uses her platform and power to amplify women’s voices, particularly Latina voices, and fight for equality for all.