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SCRANTON — The Society of Irish Women announced Thursday that Hillary Rodham Clinton will serve as keynote speaker for its 19th annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner celebration, an event that recognizes the outstanding achievements of women across Lackawanna County.

“Our dinner serves as an opportunity to bring some of the brightest and most civic-engaged women of our region together to honor those who have made a profound impact on our communities,” said Mary Clare Kingsley, co-president of The Society of Irish Women. “We are honored that Secretary Clinton will join us to share stories of hope and inspiration with the women of Northeastern, Pennsylvania.”

The event is set for March 17, at 5:30 p.m. at The Hilton Scranton Hotel and Conference Center, 100 Adams Ave. The evening, open to both women and men, begins with cocktails followed by a seated dinner and speakers’ program. For ticket and event information, contact Mariann Moran at 570-969-1061.

The former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator from New York and First Lady has strong roots in Scranton, and she made the region a regular stop on the campaign trail during her time as the 2016 Democratic nominee for president.

Clinton’s father, Hugh Rodham, was born and raised in Scranton, her grandfather worked for the Scranton Lace Company and she spent her summers at Lake Winola in Wyoming County.

“Secretary Clinton has dedicated so much of her professional and personal life working to ensure the equal treatment of women here in the United States and across the world,” said Jane Shrive, the Society’s co-president. “Our dinner brings together women of all ages and we are so humbled and excited the group will hear from Clinton directly.”

According to information provided by the Society of Irish Women, the group is currently made up of more than 100 members and was founded in 1998 by 10 women who believed in recognizing the women who had the courage, strong sense of values and commitment to improving life within their Northeastern Pennsylvania communities.

Previous dinner speakers have included President Barack Obama, ABC’s Ann Compton, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mary Jordan, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Valerie Biden-Owens and CBS’s Norah O’Donnell.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 18, 2010, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the new START Treaty. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_AP_100518131758.jpg.optimal.jpgSecretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 18, 2010, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the new START Treaty. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.