She did not comment on the myriad scandals that marked her tenure as first lady.

Reclaiming her role as the world's foremost feminist, Clinton sometimes stuck a strident note, telling the crowd of U.N. activists, abortion advocates and college students, "Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights and we cannot settle for anything less."

She also blasted the Bush administration for attempting to restrict abortions, saying, "I regret that the government in my country is making it more difficult for women in this country to receive safe [abortions]."

Worldwide, 68,000 women die every year, she said, due to unsafe abortions.

The Vital Voices' Women's Global Leadership Summit will continue in New York throughout the week and will include 25 women leaders from around the world.

Editor's note: