Letters: Nov. 10, 1997

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TURNING FIFTY

As Hillary Clinton celebrates her 50th birthday [NATION, Oct. 20], people around the world will take the opportunity to commend her for a lifetime of work helping those less fortunate. She has used her position as a legal expert and public servant to improve the American family and the lives of children. How unfortunate that her accomplishments have been overlooked in a climate of negativism. Because she has forsaken the safe projects of former First Ladies and tackled more controversial issues, she has come under heavy criticism, as did Eleanor Roosevelt more than a half-century ago. Her book, It Takes a Village, has inspired many acts of kindness. She will be remembered as one of America's most admired First Ladies. JOHN E. MILLER JR. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

When the Baby Boomers turned 40, we were treated to dissertations on how it felt to turn 40. Now they are 50, and it's as if they were the first generation ever to reach that milestone. Will the most self-centered, self-absorbed, self-important and just plain selfish generation in history ever stop whining and just grow up? THOMAS J. BROWNE Bridgewater, N.J.

I too will turn 50 the year my daughter enters college. I have been a corporate vice president and currently own and operate a small business. My generation of women did change the world; however, those of us who succeeded placed ourselves out front and on the line. If Hillary wants a legacy, she should take risks: stake out a position of power for which there is responsibility and accountability. She should not hide behind policy and nice ideas that she can retreat from when things turn sour.

She can either play the nurturing, supportive and important role of a Barbara Bush or come out from behind her husband. She cannot have it both ways. MARCIA L. LADD Chapel Hill, N.C.

We, the next generation of professional women, are the ones the First Lady's generation inspired to dream about "having it all." However, we are also the girls who watched that worn-out generation try to feed the kids and go to work and too often end up getting divorced. We see the pitfalls and are already disillusioned.

While Clinton's generation of women was so vocal about having families, careers and doing everything perfectly, our generation tries to keep mum. We are advised in law school not to wear our wedding band or engagement ring to job interviews for fear that employers will view us as baby machines, women too distracted by a family to devote 80 hours a week to the job.

It is the family-unfriendly environment that forces us to place limitations on our careers before we have even had a chance to start them. JACQUELINE KARAMANOS Ann Arbor, Mich.

It was not necessary for me to know that Hillary Clinton has turned 50. She is most assuredly not my role model. JUDY KNUTSEN Stockton, Calif.

At long last a positive, balanced profile of the First Lady. Bravo, and thank you very much! All is forgiven. JUDITH L. MILLER Indianapolis, Ind.

Until you published your lengthy report, Hillary Clinton was doing a fairly good job staying out of sight, just what the public wants her to do. In the future, please assist her in achieving this goal. H. WAYNE CARVER II Avon, Conn.

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