The future is female, Hillary Clinton declares, in first comments since Trump’s inauguration
Hillary Clinton hails success of anti-Trump marches, as she urges women to continue to ‘step up and speak out’
Hillary Clinton said the “future is female” in her first public address since Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.
In a video recorded for a women’s leadership conference in California, Clinton did not mention her 2016 election rival Trump and instead applauded the women who protested across the globe the day after his inauguration.
“Despite all the challenges we face, I remain convinced that yes, the future is female,” Clinton said Monday. “Just look at the amazing energy we saw last month as women organised a march that galvanised millions of people all over our country and across the world.”
More than a million people turned out for the women’s marches, which was the largest mass demonstration in US history.
Momentum from the women’s marches has cascaded to dozens of protests, including demonstrations against the Trump administration’s travel ban , in support of scientists and backing LGBT rights.
Activists have also called on women internationally to strike on March 8 against male violence and in support of reproductive rights.
Clinton did not mention the upcoming demonstrations, but urged women to “step up and speak out” in a recorded video for the Makers conference, an annual women’s leadership event that began in 2014, held this week in California.
“We need you to dare greatly and lead boldly,” said Clinton. “So please, set an example for every woman and girl out there who’s worried about what the future holds and wonders whether our rights, opportunities and values will endure.”
The Democratic presidential nominee did not attend the women’s march. She did, however, attend the inauguration, as is customary for former first ladies.
Clinton and Trump did not interact during the ceremony, but shook hands at the inauguration luncheon. Trump asked Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, to stand during the luncheon. “I have a lot of respect for those two people,” Trump said.
On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to jail Clinton, whom he described as a “nasty woman”. She, a former secretary of state, declared he was unfit to serve the nation’s highest office.
Clinton received 2.9 million more votes than Trump, but election night 2016 fell in Trump’s favour because of his electoral college win. The loss ended the presidential ambitions of Clinton, the first woman to be nominated for US president by a major political party.
Last Week, Simon & Schuster revealed Hillary Clinton had inked a deal to write a collection of essays including her reflections on Trump and the election.
Clinton concluded her speech to the conference with a rousing call for women around the world.
“And remember, you are the heroes and history-makers, the glass ceiling-breakers of the future. As I’ve said before, I’ll say again, never doubt you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world”.
