Click to read a summary of Hillary Clinton’s concession speech. Creative commons image: Gage Skidmore on Wikipedia.

By Arnav Bhagat

On Nov. 9, 2016, at roughly 2:30 in the morning, Hillary Clinton conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump over the phone. It was the end of a shocking night, the end of Clinton’s second hard-fought presidential campaign, and the end of Trump’s campaign, which people initially dismissed as a joke. Trump will be the president of the United States of America.

Yesterday, Clinton delivered her concession speech. Considering the drama and bitterness that has enshrouded the 2016 election, she delivered what has been called a remarkably poised speech by Trump supporters and her campaign alike.

She began on a very simple yet monumental note. “I’m sorry,” she said. For Clinton’s supporters, those two words drove the very real realization that it was over.

She continued, saying that not only should we honor the constitutional right of a peaceful transfer of power, but that we should “cherish” it. She explained that she had offered her willingness to work with Trump the night before. “Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead,” said Clinton.

Clinton acknowledged, keeping a stoic demeanor and a holding her head high, that this was not the outcome they wanted. “This is painful and will be for a long time,” she said.

Clinton, like many before her, continued on to thank her friends, family, and campaign team for all their hard work. She also thanked Barack and Michelle Obama, honoring them for all they have done for America in the past eight years.

Soon after, she transitioned into the emotional crescendo of her speech, where she addressed the women of the United States, explaining that it was her highest honor to be their “champion.” “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,” Clinton said. “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 to achieve your own dreams.”

Before exiting through the blue drapes off the stage, she reminded Americans not to lose sight of what’s right and to continue fighting for the values which distinguish our great nation. “The rule of law, the principle that we are equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values too and we must defend them,” Clinton said.

And with her final speech, valiantly holding a smiling face while the others around her weeped, and even sobbed (including Tim Kaine, Huma Abedin, and even Bill Clinton), she exited through the blue drapes with dignity. Her speech should remind all US citizens of the importance of unity, fighting for what’s right, and living with an open mind.