Pantsuit Nation is the not-so-secret Facebook group responsible for thousands of women wearing Hillary Clinton’s outfit of choice to vote in the US election.
What started as a private Facebook group of 50 friends, who came together to “lift each other up and share in their support of Hillary Clinton”, became a movement of more than 2.6 million people. Their main aim was to encourage people to wear pantsuits to vote on 8 November.
The Presidential candidate herself took notice of the group and sent a personal message to its members on election day to thank them for their support.
In the note, Clinton said the commenters’ messages of love and support, not only towards her but to fellow members, “warms my heart” and that she was “honoured and humbled” to have the group’s support.
“I’m even prouder to see this community represent the best of America: people of all backgrounds and beliefs who share a vision for a brighter future for our children, and who have each other’s backs,” the 69-year-old wrote.
Clinton said she hoped, together, they would break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” and use their pantsuits for “celebrating”.
Pantsuit Nation's public page has more than 42,000 likes. Clinton supporters must be invited to the organisation's private group to join.
Meanwhile, on 8 November hundreds of women posted photos of themselves pantsuit-clad to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Hillary Clinton's message to Pantsuit Nation appeared in full on Mashable.
Dear Pantsuit Nation (have you ever heard a better name?!),
On this historic day, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart.
This election hasn't been easy: It's been long, hard-fought, and at times it made us question who we are as Americans. For some of you, it's been difficult to feel like you could wear your support on your sleeve — and that's why this community has been such a special place. Your stories and photos of family members and friends are wonderful to see, but what truly warms my heart is the thousands of comments of support and love you all send to each other. I'm honored and humbled to have all of you with me, but I'm even prouder to see this community represent the best of America: people of all backgrounds and beliefs who share a vision for a brighter future for our children, and who have each other's backs. That's who we really are, and tonight, we're going to prove it.
Thank you all so much for your support, your hard work, and your votes. Tonight, I hope we'll finally break through that highest, hardest glass ceiling together, and use those pantsuits for the best occasion of all — celebrating!
-H
Mia discusses the US election with author Jodi Picoult: