A Hillary Clinton supporter shields her face from the glare of a 65-degree sun Tuesday, as she waited in line outside the Jacob Javits Convention Center for the Clinton election night party. Clinton supporters began arriving at 7 a.m. - 11 hours before doors were scheduled to open.

NEW YORK – Hillary Clinton supporters baked in unseasonably warm temperatures throughout the day Tuesday as they waited in line on an empty industrial street by the Jacob Javits Convention Center for the Democrat’s election night celebration.

“But it’s worth it,” said Jayme Wagner, of Alabama, who was among the first few people in line at 7 a.m.

Nearby, another woman held an empty potato chip bag over her face as a shield from the glaring sun on a 65-degree, November afternoon.

Like others in line, Wagner said she wanted to be part of history. At the time she was sitting on a sidewalk four-and-a-half hours before the doors were scheduled to open for Clinton’s party at 6 p.m.

She’d teared up, she said, when she circled the name of potentially the first woman to be elected president on her ballot.

Wagner said she’d spoken to a 12-year-old girl in line, and asked her if Clinton inspired her.

The girl said she did, and Wagner said she was inspired, too.

“Maybe she’ll think she’ll be able to do whatever she wants to do,” Wagner said.

Nearby, Beth Senturia was also waiting to be part of history.

She related her own story of a glass ceiling. Senturia said her mother had wanted to be a psychiatrist, “and she would have been an excellent one.” But her parents told her she could be a school teacher or a nurse.

Senturia said she’d come to Clinton’s party, in part, with her mother in mind.

“It has been too long without women understanding they can do whatever they want to do — too long that we’ve allowed society or men to say we need to stay in the kitchen or pick a certain occupation,” she said.

Kelly Jacobs, of Hernando, Mississippi, was also waiting to be a part of history.

She was dressed for it, too, wearing a pink gown she’d made with a giant rendering of Clinton’s face in front and a white church hat.

She’d caught a 7 a.m. flight this morning to get in line.

“A lot of men don’t understand”,” she said. “Men have always been president.”

Jacobs said boys have been able to play water polo, too. As a child, she had to fight to play.

Jacobs said she’s worked as a mechanic, worked in a casino and held other jobs that men do, but she’s always been paid less.

In a few hours, she was hoping things would begin to change.

Kery Murakami is the Washington, D.C. reporter for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Contact him at kmurakami@cnhi.com