Democrat Hillary Clinton made her first public appearance after her concession speaking on Wednesday for the Children's Defence Fund event and reflected on her US elections loss. Clinton said that it has been hard for her and that ever since the defeat, she just wanted to "curl up with a good book and never leave the house again."
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton lost the election to Republican Donald Trump in an unforeseen defeat. Clinton, however, won the popular votes in the country.
"I will admit coming here tonight wasn't the easiest thing for me. There have been a few times this past week when all I wanted to do is just to curl up with a good book or our dogs, and never leave the house again," Clinton said.
Speaking at the event in Washington, Clinton also added that the US elections and the final vote have exposed the deep divisions in the "greatest country in the world." She said that it was up to everyone in the nation to make America better.
"Over the past week, a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was. The divisions laid bare by this election run deep, but please listen to me when I say this: America is worth it," the former Democratic presidential nominee added.
Clinton did not name Donald Trump during the event and asked her supporters to focus on the future and "stay engaged on every level...We need you. America needs your energy," she said.
Referring to her hard-fought presidential campaign, Clinton said: "Our campaign was never about one person or even one election. It was about the country we love and about building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted. I didn't get into public service to hold high office."
Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a nonprofit advocacy group for underprivileged children. The event honoured Clinton for her contributions to the organisation; she first worked for CDF in the 1970s when she was a young lawyer and later was the chair of the board of directors for the fund.
Referring to the likely deportation of many immigrants from America, Clinton said: "There are also children who are afraid today, like the little girl I met in Nevada who started to cry when she told me how scared she was that her parents would be taken away from her and be deported. No child should have to live with fear like that."
