Before joining the campaign trail with her mother in January, Chelsea Clinton said she had no idea how much sexism still existed in the nation.
"Two guys in New Hampshire stood up and shouted 'Iron my shirt,' " Chelsea Clinton said. "They were serious. I was shocked that they were serious. But I was even more shocked to see that no one seemed the think that it was a news story. It wasn't something you saw a news clip of."
Even today, Chelsea Clinton meets people, often women, who say her mother is the best and smartest candidate, but that they "are not comfortable with a woman as commander in chief," she said.
Chelsea Clinton's university tour brought her to University Park to convince voters that her mother, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is the best candidate for the Democratic nomination.
"This is where my grandfather and uncle graduated from," Clinton said, adding that her grandfather played football for the Nittany Lions in the 1930s. "I watched many games with him before he died."
More than 500 students and local residents of State College crowded the HUB lawn to hear the former first daughter speak about her mother's campaign, said Emily Cain, the Clinton campaign spokeswoman.
Penn State is the 102nd college she has visited in the last three months, she said.
Unlike her father's appearance two weeks ago at Rec Hall, students were able to ask questions about her mother's campaign issues.
Chelsea Clinton addressed the need for additional funding for police forces on college campuses, as well as President George W. Bush administration's No Child Left Behind policy, which Hillary Clinton plans to end once taking office, she said.
Students also asked about Hillary Clinton's planned contribution to the LGBT community.
"She plans to extend equal benefits to the 9 million people who work for the federal government and end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' " Chelsea Clinton said.
Currently, in Pennsylvania, legislation is in the process of being passed that would outlaw the union of gay or lesbian couples. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate running for president who spoke out against this issue, Chelsea Clinton said.
Answering questions about a universal health care plan, Chelsea Clinton said she was proud her mother stood up for the policy before it was fashionable.
"She kept fighting, even when it didn't work out," Chelsea Clinton said.
After attending both Clinton events as well as the Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., rally two weeks ago, Alyssa Ketterer (senior-journalism and women's studies) said the question-and-answer session helped her pick a candidate to support.
"Hearing the policies from each candidate, this really did it for me," Ketterer said. "I really understand where Hillary is coming from."
Students supporting Obama said the Clinton campaign is fighting an uphill battle with a majority of college students supporting the Illinois senator, said Jesse Steinweg-Woods (senior-meteorology and energy business and finance).
"When it comes to the human element, [Hillary's] more closed off, especially to college students," Steinweg-Woods said.
Enrique Ortiz (senior-political science), vice president of the College Democrats, said he personally felt this event was more tailored to young people than previous political events.
"[Chelsea] was very passionate, very charismatic," Ortiz said. "I don't think Obama would make a good candidate because you can't just lead off hope. You can't pay tuition with hope; you can't pay the rent with hope."
