Even before she became a First Lady, a Senator, a Secretary of State—and before she announced her second run for President of the United States via a video she posted to her website—Hillary Clinton was paving a path of independence and empowerment for women.

Back when Clinton missed her party’s nomination for the Presidency in 2008, she acknowledged how her run represented progress for women in her concession speech. "Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it," she said to a cheering crowd. "And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time."

Perhaps this time it will be easier, as there has yet to be another Democratic candidate throwing his or her hat in the ring for the party’s primary elections. But perhaps it won’t be, either, as her political past has had its share of controversial moments, too. Regardless, Clinton has set yet another milestone in her career—and in the history of women’s rights. Here, a look back at some of the most important ones.

1969: Graduates from Wellesley College, Enters Yale Law

Time & Life Pictures

Image Credit: Lee Balterman / The LIFE Collection / Getty Images

After excelling as a political science undergraduate, Clinton served as student government president, speaking at her college graduation, saying that politics were then the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible, a foundation on which she’s built her career—especially when it comes to creating opportunities and an equal playing field for women. What’s more, Hillary was the first Wellesley student to speak at the commencement ceremony, and excerpts of her speech were reprinted in LIFE Magazine. She then attended Yale Law School, where she sat on the Yale Review of Law and Social Action’s board of editors.

1976: Becomes the Family Breadwinner

Following law-school graduation, the young attorney moved to Arkansas to tie the knot with a guy named Bill (you may know him as the 42nd President of the United States) in 1975. Hillary sat on the boards of several non-profits, became the first female board member of Walmart and co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families just one year later. Meanwhile, Bill launched an unsuccessful campaign for Congress, becoming the Arkansas attorney general in 1976 instead. It was during this time that Hillary out-earned her husband, proving publicly that women were equally as capable—and valuable—as their male counterparts.

1982: Serves as Career Woman, First Lady, Mom