Hillary Clinton, in her first public speech since her surprising loss at the U.S presidential election held on November 8, 2016, has admitted that making the appearance “wasn’t the easiest.”
Speaking at the Children’s Defense Fund’s “Beat The Odds” Gala on Wednesday night, Clinton emotionally reflected about the 2016 loss and how she wished she could tell her mother, who decades ago was abandoned as a child, that her struggles were worth it because of what her daughter had accomplished.
“I will admit, coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” Clinton said.
“There have been a few times this past week where all I wanted to do was curl up with a good book and our dogs and never leave the house again.”
She however chose not to wallow in defeat and instead turned to what she will focus, on going forward.
Clinton said she wished she could say to her mother as she sat on her train to California:
“I dream of going up to her, and sitting next to her and taking her in my arms and saying, ‘Look, look at me and listen. You will survive, you will have a family of your own: three children,” Clinton said.
“And as hard as it might be to imagine, your daughter will grow up to be a United States senator, represent our country as secretary of state, and win more than 62 million votes for president of the United States.”
The speech reflected a pledge to remain strong in the face of a Trump administration while she also reflected on past events.
Charging the audience, she said “we have work to do, and for the sake of our children and our families and our country, I ask you to stay engaged, stay engaged on every level,” Clinton said.
“We need you. America needs you, your energy, your ambition, your talent. That is how we get through this.”
It was an election that was expected to either elect the first female president for the country or an outsider – a businessman, who would become the leader of the world’s most powerful country.
Mr Donald Trump who was the republican presidential candidate, won the elections with 289 votes against democratic party candidate Hillary Clinton’s 218.
Delivering his victory speech, Trump said he would uphold a United America and reclaim the nation’s destiny when he takes over.
He went on to praise his opponent saying: “she fought very hard. She has worked
very long and hard over a long period of time. We have a sense of gratitude for her service”.
