It was a night spent celebrating the entertainment industry's best and brightest women, with an appearance from another kind of leading lady: Hillary Clinton.

Actress Elizabeth Banks was among those honored at the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards on Tuesday night in Beverly Hills, and although Clinton couldn't be there in person, she wasn't about to miss her friend's big moment. As The Hunger Games star was about to receive the coveted Crystal Award for Excellence in Film, a 95-second surprise video message from the former secretary of state began to roll. Playing perfectly to her audience, Clinton kicked off her remarks with a politically-tinged reference to Wonder Woman.

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"Now I haven't seen Wonder Woman yet, but I'm going to, in part because it's directed by the fabulous Patty Jenkins," Clinton began. "But something tells me that a movie about a strong, powerful woman fighting to save the world from a massive international disaster is right up my alley."

Clinton then steered her message towards Banks, one of the most vocal supporters during the presidential election. "She is such a special person, again, on screen and off. You're not only a creative force in front of the camera and behind it, you are a passionate advocate for women's equality and opportunity; I can vouch for that," Clinton gushed. "I'm so grateful for your support and friendship and your sense of humor. I can't think of a more fitting person to receive this distinguished award."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Banks spoke about the power of women in Hollywood as she accepted her award: "I am so proud that I get to raise my two boys to love women. I get to present an example of them of a working mom who loves what she does. We are creating culture. We are sending messages out to the world and those messages matter. Co-opting men and boys into that process is the only way that progress is going to happen."

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Congratulations, Elizabeth!