Dear Secretary Clinton,
The past week has been difficult for me. I have been having trouble truly grappling with the reality that you will not be our president for the next four years; a reality that I was so certain of just a few days ago. Something that I remind myself of, when I feel defeated, is what you must be feeling. You don’t seem defeated, angry or sad. Disappointed, yes, but vanquished, no. I sit here, watching your concession speech and I am awe of you, just as I have always been. You say “I’m sorry,” but I don’t blame you.
Throughout this turbulent election, when the media would cover the next outrageous thing another presidential candidate said or did, I would look to you. I looked to you for ease in stormy politics and genuine passion in a hate-filled arena. I looked to you, and the ease you conveyed through your speaking. The way your compassion and constant reassurance reminded us that America would persevere through this election and continue to be great; just as it always has always been.
On election night, I watched the American map turn red. When I thought all hope was dashed, I listened to your steady and strong words. I cried among my friends and fellow young women in America who were frightened, traumatized and distressed. You eased our minds with your words of wisdom. You reassured us that although you did not break the glass ceiling, one of us would, and I can never thank you enough for gleaming that ray of hope in such a dark time.
You made sure that although you didn’t win the election, young women and girls everywhere knew that they still deserved whatever opportunities came to them. Even though this election didn’t turn out the way over half of America wanted, you left us with your guidance and your hope. You made sure that fighting for the right thing was not a lost cause. You left this election, and this country, a better place than you found it.
It is a scary time to be a young woman in America. The future of our country is hazy and no one really knows what will happen. But we had you. We had you steadying our ship. We had you leading us and I could not be more thankful that the first election I ever voted in, I voted for a woman. I voted for a trailblazer. I voted for a candidate that I look up to. I voted passionately. I voted for you.
Regardless of who was the victor, you will always be my champion. Thank you.
Sincerely, A young American woman who you inspired