Power

‘Never Stop Believing That Fighting for What’s Right Is Worth It’ Says Clinton in Concession Speech

“And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams,” said Hillary Clinton in her Wednesday concession speech.

In her speech, Clinton thanked her supporters and acknowledged the disappointment they felt, stating that the country “is more deeply divided than we thought,” but encouraged them not to give up on their visions for the future. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Speaking to supporters in New York City on Wednesday, Clinton conceded the election to Republican Donald Trump and urged her supporters to offer him an “open mind” and a peaceful transition of power.

Trump’s victory was solidified earlier this morning, and Clinton called the Republican before he gave a victory speech to acknowledge her loss.

In her speech, Clinton thanked her supporters and acknowledged the disappointment they felt, stating that the country “is more deeply divided than we thought,” but encouraged them not to give up on their visions for the future.

“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,” said Clinton.

“This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it,” she continued, encouraging young people to keep working for what they believe in.

Clinton acknowledged that her loss meant the country would not see its first woman president this year, and reflected on what that meant for women and girls in the United States. “To all the women and especially the young women who put their faith in the campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion,” she said.

“Now, I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but some day someone will—and hopefully sooner than we might think right now,” Clinton continued. “And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”

She also noted that the country’s “constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time,” adding that it was the only way to advance the values of those who live in it.

Clinton called for her supporters to continue “breaking down all the barriers that hold any American back from achieving their dreams.”

“We spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone,” she said. “For people of all races, and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and people with disabilities. For everyone.”

“I believe we are stronger together and we will go forward together. And you should never, ever regret fighting for that,” Clinton concluded.

Reproductive rights and justice advocates are already sounding the alarm about the implications of an imminent Trump presidency.

“During this campaign, Donald Trump played to the darkest impulses and prejudices of the American people. This outcome sends a frightening message to women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, and others looking for their place in the American family,” said Destiny Lopez, co-director of All* Above All, a group that works to lift bans on funding for abortion care, in a statement prior to Clinton’s speech.

“We are deeply concerned about the implications for women’s health and rights, but wewomen, people of color, immigrants—know what it’s like to fight impossible odds.” Lopez continued. “Our communities still need access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, and so we will keep fighting to protect and preserve that right.”

“Donald Trump’s vision for America and the policies he has proposed are a clear and present danger to women, our bodies, and our freedoms,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue in a Wednesday statement on the election results. “Our charge every day is to work to ensure President-Elect Trump cannot strip away our freedoms, our rights, and our ability to chart our own destiny.”

Hogue also noted of Clinton’s loss that “while we are disappointed, we are equally proud of Hillary Clinton, of her campaign, and of her lifetime of service to others. All Americans can be proud of the campaign she ran, and the principles she stands for.”

Trump did not mention health care or reproductive rights during his Wednesday morning victory speech in New York. Instead, the Republican president-elect promised “ to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals.”

“We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it,” claimed Trump.

He also promised to “finally take care of our great veterans” and plugged his economic plan.