DEVASTATED after the loss of Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, a young woman from County Durham posted a letter sharing her thoughts to the politician who inspired her interest in public affairs.

More than a year later, the note has been featured in American Teen Vogue – alongside ones written by young female stars including actress and singer Miley Cyrus and writer Lena Dunham – picked from more than 100,000 sent to the politician in the wake of the election.

“There were a lot of emotions going through my mind at the time,” said 23-year-old Maura McKeon, from Bowburn, near Durham. “I felt I had to let her know that even though she hadn’t succeeded there are so many people that had been inspired by her getting as far as she has in politics.

“I was politically awakened by her in 2008. She is a big inspiration.”

Since sending the letter, Ms McKeon has become the youngest member of Durham County Council.

The councillor, who is also chair of the Friends of the Durham Women's Gala, was elected in May, at the age of 22, to represent the Coxhoe division.

Her letter to Mrs Clinton, written in a card with a picture of Durham Cathedral, said: “Whenever I doubt myself, I think of your example: You showed me that ‘because it’s difficult’ is no reason to stop doing something.”

The note was featured in an article of “love letters” to Hillary Clinton, and was one of five selected from more than 100,000 which had been sent following her 2016 election defeat to Donald Trump.

They have been published in the December issue of American Teen Vogue, which was guest edited by Mrs Clinton.

Cllr McKeon, who was about 12 when she first became interested in politics and was 16 when she joined the Labour party, said: “I didn’t even think she would read it and I didn’t know if it would reach her.

“It was a huge shock that it had been read. I wasn’t expecting it.”

She added: “I was absolutely devastated after the election in 2016. It was quite a difficult time because everything looked so bleak.

“As someone who voted Remain, with the referendum result as well it was quite gruelling.

“It’s not just that a woman lost to a man but that it was a well qualified woman losing to a man with no qualifications, who has a long history of misogyny.

“For me as a woman I’ve felt there was a greater degree of scrutiny on me and held to a much higher standard.

“To see that myself and see her going through the same things on the world stage and to see her taking it in her stride was something that was quite inspirational.

“It showed me you can’t be held back by the little incremental things.”