The issue of gender had been largely absent from the Democratic primary campaign as Mrs Clinton struggled to connect with young female voters, many of whom sided with her left-wing rival Bernie Sanders.

But her advisers said she would now seek to make stark contrasts between herself and Mr Trump, hammering home to voters sexist comments her rival had made.

In a message to supporters ahead of her speech Mrs Clinton said: "If there are any little girls out there staying up late to watch, I may become the first woman president but one of you is next."

Delegates on the convention floor were shown video of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Meryl Streep, the Oscar-winning actress, took to the stage and punched her fists in the air.

She said: "What does it take to be the first female anything? It takes grit and it takes grace."

Campaign insiders said the former first lady also planned to use her speech, watched by tens of millions on television, to "reintroduce" herself to the nation.