No stranger to the political scene, Hillary Clinton has been a political activist since her days as an undergraduate at Wellesley College in the 1960s.

As First Lady, she chaired the Task Force on National Health Care Reform. Her efforts to promote universal health care failed at that time, but that approach is what all the Democratic contenders are pushing today. Health care is the No. 1 topic targeted by the Democrats, but Clinton may be the one who is best known for her long-time attention to the subject. She has stated that if elected president, affordable health care for all Americans will be one of her top three priorities, in addition to strengthening the middle class and ending the war in Iraq. Clinton is the 12th woman to run for president.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

• Political party: Democrat. • Political office: U.S. senator from New York, 2001 to present. • Professional experience: Counsel of the impeachment inquiry staff, House Judiciary Committee, 1974; Rose Law Firm, Little Rock, Ark., 1977-1992. • Education: B.A., political science, Wellesley College, 1969; J.D., Yale Law School, 1973. • Date of birth: Oct. 26, 1947. • Place of birth: Chicago. • Current residence: Chappaqua, N.Y. • Campaign Web address: www.hillaryclinton.com