Hillary Clinton’s message to young girls: Never doubt you are valuable and deserving

She didn’t end up being the first female president of the United States. But in an emotional concession speech, Hillary Clinton had powerful words for young girls and women around the world who looked up to her for breaking barriers.

“To all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me: I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion,” Clinton said in her final remarks on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: Hillary Clinton concedes after losing bid to become first female US president

“Now, I know we still have not shattered the highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will – and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.

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 this world to pursue and achieve your own dreams,” Clinton said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Now, I know we still have not shattered the highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday someone will - and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.</p><p>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 this world to pursue and achieve your own dreams," Clinton said.

After an ugly and divisive presidential campaign election, Clinton lost her bid to become the first female to take the helm of the United States, losing to Republican candidate Donald Trump.

She encouraged young people as a whole to fight back against the challenges they face, too.

“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,” she said.

“Please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It is worth it,” she said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "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," she said.</p><p>"Please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it. It is worth it," she said.

WATCH: Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton told young voters in New York that despite the loss of the presidential election to continue to fight for the causes they believe in.

0:42 Hillary Clinton delivers special message to young voters

Women were more likely to vote for Clinton: 54 per cent voted for the Democrat, compared to only 42 per cent who voted for Trump.

Clinton even made some inroads with college-educated white women. Just over half supported her, while four years ago just over half of that group had backed Republican Mitt Romney in 2012.

READ MORE: Who voted for Donald Trump?

Clinton called Trump early Wednesday morning once it became clear he would be the president-elect. She even encouraged her supporters to give Trump a chance and offered her assistance as the country moves forward.

“I’m sorry,” she said to her supporters.

“This is painful and it will be for a long time.”

• With files from Nicole Bogart and Leslie Young, Global News

carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
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