The glass ceiling will remain intact for at least another four years.
Emerging from behind the curtains with a broad smile hiding clear pain in her eyes, Hillary Clinton late on Monday morning addressed America for the first time since losing the presidential election to Republican candidate Donald Trump.
“Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country,” Clinton said. “I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans.
“This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country.”
Clinton, who won the popular vote but fell short in the electoral vote, spent much of the speech thanking her staff and supporters for helping her create “the best campaign anybody could have ever expected or wanted.”
Subtly addressing Trump, who built his successful campaign by railing against immigrants, Muslims, Mexicans, and other groups, Clinton defined her campaign as one of inclusion.
“Our campaign was never about one person, or even one election. It was about the country we love and building an America that is hopeful, inclusive, and big-hearted,” Clinton said. “We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America, and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”
Clinton also called on her supporters, some of whom gathered in secret Facebook groups, to make their voices heard.
“[T]o the millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists and union organizers who knocked on doors, talked to their neighbors, posted on Facebook—even in secret private Facebook sites,” Clinton said. “I want everybody coming out from behind that and make sure your voices are heard going forward.”
Holding back her emotion, Clinton finally addressed the young women and girls, calling on them to “never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”
“I’ve had successes and setbacks and sometimes painful ones. Many of you are at the beginning of your professional, public and political careers, you will have successes and setbacks too,” Clinton said. “This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
