Hillary Clinton made her first public appearance since losing the presidential election at a charity gala for the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. “I will admit, coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” Clinton told those in attendance. “There have been a few times this past week where all I wanted to do was just to curl up with a good book and our dogs and never leave the house again.” She cited Children’s Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman as inspiring her to get “back on her feet” and “get to work.”

“I know many of you are deeply disappointed about the results of the election,” Clinton added. “I am too, more than I can ever express.” Acknowledging that “a lot of people have asked themselves whether America was the country we thought it was” over this past week, she 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, fight for our values, and never, ever give up.”