Clinton gave her first public address since Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, in a recorded video for an annual women’s leadership conference

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Hillary Clinton declared the “future is female” on Monday in her first public address since Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.

In a video recorded for a women’s leadership conference in California, Clinton did not mention her 2016 election rival Trump and instead applauded the women who protested across the globe the day after his inauguration.

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“Despite all the challenges we face, I remain convinced that yes, the future is female,” Clinton said. “Just look at the amazing energy we saw last month as women organized a march that galvanized millions of people all over our country and across the world.”

More than a million people turned out for the women’s marches, which was the largest mass demonstration in US history.

Momentum from the women’s marches has cascaded to dozens of protests, including demonstrations against the Trump administration’s travel ban, in support of scientists and backing LGBT rights.

Activists have also called on women internationally to strike on 8 March against male violence and in support of reproductive rights.

Clinton did not mention the upcoming demonstrations, but urged women to “step up and speak out” in a recorded video for the Makers conference, an annual women’s leadership event that began in 2014, held this week in California.

“We need you to dare greatly and lead boldly,” said Clinton. “So please, set an example for every woman and girl out there who’s worried about what the future holds and wonders whether our rights, opportunities and values will endure.”

The Democratic presidential nominee did not attend the women’s march. She did, however, attend the inauguration, as is customary for former first ladies.

Clinton and Trump did not interact during the ceremony, but shook hands at the inauguration luncheon. Trump asked Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, to stand during the luncheon. “I have a lot of respect for those two people,” Trump said.

On the campaign trail, Trump had threatened to jail Clinton. She, a former secretary of state, declared he was unfit to serve the nation’s highest office.

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Clinton defeated Trump in the popular vote by 2.9m, but election night 2016 fell in Trump’s favor because of his electoral college win. The loss ended the presidential ambitions of Clinton, the first female to be nominated for US president by a major political party.

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Clinton concluded her speech to the conference with a rousing call for women around the world.

“And remember, you are the heroes and history-makers, the glass ceiling-breakers of the future. As I’ve said before, I’ll say again, never doubt you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world”.