William J. Clinton Presidental Library
LITTLE ROCK Ark. (KTHV)-- A reception at the Clinton Center this weekend kicked off a new exhibit to honor the mother's of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
Two ladies who lived through a generation defined by the Great Depression and World War II, this exhibit will take you through their journey. Chelsea Clinton spoke at the reception and reflected upon her grandmother's hard times.
"Both faced adversity that I think is almost unimaginable in the 21st century, and yet both transcended adversity and chose to define their lives truly to how they reacted to it and the choices they made, not the choices that other's made for them," says Chelsea Clinton.
The exhibit starts off with a video of Chelsea, talking about her grandmothers. There are photographs of Dorothy Howell Rodham and Virginia Clinton Kelley all over the great hall. Also on display are yearbooks, high school diplomas and dresses worn by the mothers to President Clinton's inauguration and Chelsea's wedding.
"My grandmother Dorothy always told me, life is not what happens to you it's about what you do with what happens to you. One of the things I really remember my grandmother Ginger saying is that some people say the only things sure in life are death and taxes, she wasn't really sure about death and taxes but she knew there would always be a tomorrow."
Chelsea says Sunday is extra special because just last week would have been both of the ladies birthday. Sunday was a day to look back and reflect and a day to look forward and use wisdom from our past loved ones. She says, "I am deeply grateful for all the yesterdays I had with my grandmothers, and I know they will continue to influence my life and all of my tomorrows."
The exhibit opens to the public Monday at 9 a.m. and runs through November.