Washington, Mar 4 (EFE).– Hillary Clinton received the backing of some of the most powerful women in her party at the 30th anniversary gala of the Democratic organization Emily’s List, and she didn’t hesitate to ask the audience “Don’t you someday want to see a woman president of the United States?”

Wearing a light purple pantsuit, Clinton basked in the warm welcome given her by crowd of 1,600 members of an organization that has worked to elect pro-choice Democratic women for many years.

The central theme of the gala on Tuesday night was the former secretary of state’s prospective presidential run in 2016.

Powerful Democratic women such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were on hand at the event, and they not only encouraged Clinton to run for president but clearly showed their expectation that she would do so.

Pelosi said Clinton would be one of the “most qualified presidents in the history of the United States of America … And she just happens to be a woman,” a remark that, like many others made by various speakers during the course of the evening, brought the enthusiastic crowd to its feet.

The former secretary of state and senator has kept silent so far about her potential candidacy, even though she is the presumptive Democratic front-runner, but she dropped some hints that excited the audience and received the biggest ovations.

She said when she looked out at the crowd she saw leaders and asked them to redouble their efforts in the coming months, going further to ask if they didn’t want to see more female mayors, governors, lawmakers and adding “Don’t you someday want to see a woman President of the United States?” which brought the crowd to its feet with the cheering and ovation lasting for minutes.

In her speech before the group, which had much of the character of a campaign rally, Clinton said that everyone in the room has a lot to do in the next 20 months before the election.

She focused on keeping the crowd enthused, but she also talked about “middle-class economics,” the issue on which she quite likely will focus her campaign.

“We’re fighting for an economy that includes everyone and works for everyone,” Clinton said.

Emily’s List, which since 1985 has raised money to help field 9,000 Democratic candidates, presented Clinton with its “We Are Emily” award during the gala.

Emily’s List founder Ellen Malcom said that Clinton cracked the glass ceiling in 2008 with her previous run for president, but in 2016 the task is to shatter that glass and put a woman in the White House, remarks delivered to roaring applause.

“Well, Hillary, you heard us. Just give the word and we’ll be right at your side. We’re Emily’s List. We’re ready to fight and we’re ready to win 2016,” said Malcom. EFE