Chelsea Clinton told a crowd at HQ Raleigh on Wednesday that it’s important to encourage more teachers in STEM, to support of entrepreneurs through a “College Compact” helping students with loans, and also praises people working in “the public interest.”

The daughter of Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton appeared in Raleigh as part of an event put on by e51, a Triangle-based organization that advocates for female entrepreneurs and others that now numbers some 780 members. (She also spoke to Time Warner Cable News about her mother’s health; see report below.)

e51 stands for an entrepreneurial ecosystem powered by women with “51” pointing out that 51% of the population is female and that the group wants to reach across the 50 states, plus D.C.

Triangle entrepreneurs Brooks Bell, Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy (who also is president of Shaw University), Katie Wyatt, and Isa Watson as participated in the discussion about entrepreneurship. Some 100 people packed HQ Raleigh, a shared office complex and community in Raleigh’s warehouse district.

Pointing to two daughters (Caroline and Vanessa Rectanus, whose father is Triangle entrepreneur Karl Rectanus) in the audience, Ms. Clinton told the crowd: “Even if you are not able to vote yet, I believe every election is about the future.”

Ms. Clinton was in Raleigh for a two-day campaign swing on behalf of Mrs. Clinton. And she took the opportunity to talk about education as well as other issues.

“I think this question is so critical when thinking about a healthy entrepreneurship or how to engage women more effectively,” she said.

Talking STEM, College Compact, public interest

Ms. Clinton spoke in favor of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) efforts supported by President Obama with an emphasis on increasing the number of women becoming STEM teachers.

“Creating more STEM teachers” is essential to help cultivate young girls’ interest particularly during “the crucial middle school years,” she explained.

Ms. Clinton spoke out as well about Mrs. Clinton’s proposed College Compact plan.

“We have to ensure that people who want to be entrepreneurs are supported,” she said.

The Compact proposal includes a “3-year federal loan freeze so that people who are starting businesses or joining startups don’t have to worry about servicing their student loan debt at the same time,” she added.

To those working in what she called the public interest, Ms. Clinton added a salute.

“Your service investing in our future is helping to pay off the debt you had to acquire to make those investments that we are all going to benefit from,” she told the crowd.

Dr. Dubroy stressed the need fpr more female entrepreneurs.

“Little girls need role models who look like them. You can’t be what you can’t see,” she explained.

The event was a showcase for e51, a relatively new organization that describes itself as an “entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

“The palpable energy and enthusiasm from the panelists and participants truly ignited the crowd. We’re proud to showcase the amazing members in our community. For our female innovators, innovation spans a wide variety of sectors. Ages 17-78, e51 members are as young as high school and as seasoned as Venture Capitalists. Together we are building a vibrant ecosystem and strong talent pipeline,” Heather McDougall, a co-Founder of e51, said.

For more about the event, visit:

https://www.periscope.tv/HQRaleigh/1PlJQeQYEvVJE?

(Note: WRAL TechWire thanks e51 for helping provide information about the event.)


Chelsea Clinton about her mother: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so tired’

NewsMax picked up a report from Time Warner Cable News about Ms. Clinton discussing her mother’s health during the Raleigh visit:

“I didn’t see the video, but my mom did come over to my apartment afterward, and I was just so grateful I got a chance to take care of her for a little while,” the younger Clinton told Time Warner Cable News in Raleigh, N.C. “She has taken care of me my whole life.

“She’s just indefatigable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so tired. She was tired because she has pneumonia and that’s miserable. I’ve had pneumonia twice. I didn’t even know she had pneumonia until she came over to my apartment.”

Read details at:

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Chelsea-Clinton-Hillary-Clinton-health-pneumonia/2016/09/14/id/748362/