Hillary Clinton has a message for Pantsuit Nation

Hillary Clinton gets Pantsuit Nation.

That much was clear when she sent a message Tuesday afternoon to the secret Facebook group of her supporters. What started out as a few dozen friends banding together to wear pantsuits to the polls on Nov. 8 has become a social media force of more than 2 million people in less than three weeks.

Tens of thousands of them were moved by Clinton's gesture.

The note arrived via a campaign official who belongs to the group. Clinton, she said, had seen the group's deeply personal posts and wanted to "say thanks directly." What followed was an uplifting, optimistic missive from the first female presidential candidate of a major political party.

"I'm honored and humbled to have all of you with me," Clinton wrote, "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 sums up the ethos of Pantsuit Nation, a Facebook page inundated with testimonials and stories from every type of Clinton supporter, including those who never dreamed they'd be casting a vote in her favor.

Clinton's note unleashed an emotional response. An hour after it went live, the post had nearly 50,000 likes and more than 6,500 comments, many of them simple declarations of support (think "Go get 'em girl" and "We're with you!") But there were also plenty of tears shed.

Clinton closed the note with a reference to the group's original mission.

"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!"

Here is Clinton's note, reprinted with the campaign's permission:

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