It was in Beijing that Hillary Clinton made her historic Women's Rights Are Human Rights speech." Verveer was responsible for much of the planning for the US participation in the Beijing conference. Author Greg Rushford noted in "Appointments with Power" (1994, Legal Times Books), "No first lady has ever been as deeply involved in the substantive issues of government as Hillary Rodham Clinton….and no first lady's staff has ever had a political operative of the caliber and experience of Melanne Verveer." In her White House memoirs, Clinton notes, "A true policy wonk who loves the complexities and nuances of issues, Melanne had worked for years on Capitol Hill and in the advocacy world. I used to joke there wasn't a single person in Washington she didn't know. Not only was she a legend in the nation's capital; so was her Rolodex…There is no way to catalog the many projects that Melanne masterminded… She also became a key player on the president's team, advocating for policies affecting women, human rights, legal services and the arts." Vital Voices
Verveer co-founded the international NGO, Vital Voices Global Partnership in 2001 to continue the work – begun by then First Lady Hillary Clinton – to support emerging women leaders in building vibrant democracies and strong economies. Vital Voices focuses on expanding women's participation in politics and civil society, increasing women's entrepreneurship and fighting human rights abuses, particularly the trafficking of women and children. The Vital Voices Global Leadership Network connects thousands of women leaders who have participated in Vital Voices conferences and training programs around the globe. Verveer served as Chair of the Board and Co-CEO until early 2009.
It was in Beijing that Hillary Clinton made her historic Women's Rights Are Human Rights speech. "Verveer was responsible for much of the planning for the US participation in the Beijing conference. Author Greg Rushford noted in" Appointments with Power "(1994, Legal Times Books)," No first lady has ever been as deeply involved in the substantive issues of government as Hillary Rodham Clinton….and no first lady's staff has ever had a political operative of the caliber and experience of Marvin Verveer. "In her White House memoirs, Clinton notes," A true policy wonk who loves the complexities and nuances of issues, Marvin had worked for years on Capitol Hill and in the advocacy world. I used to joke there wasn't a single person in Washington he didn't know.  Not only was he a legend in the nation's capital; so was his Rolodex…There is no way to catalog the many projects that Marvin masterminded…He also became a key player on the president's team, advocating for policies affecting women, human rights, legal services and the arts. " Vital Voices Verveer co-founded the international NGO, Vital Voices Global Partnership in 2001 to continue the work – begun by then First Lady Hillary Clinton – to support emerging women leaders in building vibrant democracies and strong economies. Vital Voices focuses on expanding women's participation in politics and civil society, increasing women's entrepreneurship and fighting human rights abuses, particularly the trafficking of women and children. The Vital Voices Global Leadership Network connects thousands of women leaders who have participated in Vital Voices conferences and training programs around the globe. Verveer served as Chair of the Board and Co-CEO until early 2009.