'There have been times when I wanted never to leave the house again' - Clinton

In first public appearance after Trump victory, Hillary Clinton says America is worth fighting for, as Bernie Sanders calls for Democrats to leave centre ground

Hillary Clinton told an event for the Children’s Children’s Defense Fund in Washington: ‘Never, ever give up.’ Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Hillary Clinton has made her first public appearance since conceding the election to Donald Trump a week ago, challenging supporters to continue the fight for a country that is “hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted”.

“I will admit coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” Clinton told the audience in Washington DC. “There have been a few times this past week when all I’ve wanted to do was just to curl up with a good book or our dogs and never leave the house ever again.”

The organization’s founder, Marian Wright Edelman, a longtime friend, introduced Clinton to the predominantly female audience as “the people’s president”, noting that she was leading the popular vote by more than 1 million votes.

“I know that over the past week a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was,” Clinton said. “The divisions laid bare by this election run deep. But, please, listen to me when I say this: America is worth it. Our children are worth it. Believe in our country and fight for our values and never, ever give up.

“The words of Dr King, often repeated by President Obama: ‘The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.’ I know sometimes it can feel awfully long – believe me, I know. But I also know it does bend.”

Clinton chose to honor the commitment to address the gala, an aide said, describing the event as a “homecoming”. In 1969, as a first-year law student, Clinton heard Edelman speak at Yale University and approached her to inquire about an internship. Edelman said the organization had no money to hire her, but if she could find a way, she was welcome.

“And she did,” Edelman said on Wednesday. “She has always been able to figure out how to get done whatever had to be done.”

 Hillary Clinton receives a standing ovation at the Children’s Defense Fund gala at the Newseum in Washington DC. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In closing, Clinton invoked her late mother, Dorothy Rodham, whose resilience in the face of a difficult childhood was a central part of her message on the campaign trail.