On the night of November 8th, Americans waited anxiously for the next president of the United States to be announced. But when America heard the news, everyone was completely and utterly shocked, especially Donald Trump’s running mate, Hillary Clinton

The very next day, at 3:00pm on Wednesday, November 9th, Clinton gave her concession speech in New York City. Many wondered why her speech was delayed an entire twelve hours. According to Before Anyone Else Daily, shortly after the results came in, Clinton called Trump to congratulate him for his success in winning the electoral votes. Her campaign chairman, John Podesta, told the Associated Press that Clinton waited to give her speech until all of the votes had been counted.

Because the 2016 election was so time-consuming and stressful for Clinton and Americans everywhere, she began her speech with, “…this is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for and I’m sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country…” But even in her defeat, she spoke optimistically about our next president. She said, “Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.”

When she first began her campaign, she was challenged by Bernie Sanders during the primaries. But, Clinton’s hard work and persistence helped her slowly climb to the top and become the first female nominee to make it past the primaries, which is a huge achievement for women everywhere. During her speech, Clinton spoke out to all those women who followed her along the journey with, “and to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams,” causing girls and women around the nation to weep.

Clinton gracefully ended her speech with, “I am incredibly honored and grateful to have had this chance to represent all of you in this consequential election. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America,” leaving Americans hopeful for the future. “I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.”