Making her first public appearance since losing the U.S. presidential election a week ago, Hillary Clinton admitted that she is still feeling the sting of her election defeat.
The former secretary of state spoke Wednesday night at Children’s Defense Fund’s Beat The Odds Gala at Newseum in Washington, D.C.
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Clinton said it was not easy to attend the event.
“I will admit, coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” she told the audience. “There have been a few times this past week when all I wanted to do was just curl up with a good book or our dogs and never leave the house again.”
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Clinton told the audience she was still feeling the dismay of the election defeat.
“I know many of you are deeply disappointed about the results of the election, I am too … more than I can ever express but as a I said last week, our campaign was never about one person or even one election,” Clinton said. “It was about the country we love and about building an America that is hopeful, is inclusive and bighearted.”
Clinton told the crowd to “never, ever give up” on America for the children.
“I know this isn’t easy. I know that over the past week a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was,” said the former secretary of state. “The divisions laid bare by this election run deep. But please listen to me when I say this: America is worth it. Our children are worth it. Believe in our country, fight for our values and never, ever give up.”
“The CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of Amerca who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves”, according to the mission statement on the charity’s website.