Twenty-five-year-old Sarah McBride made history today when she took center stage at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention.

From NBC News:

McBride, who currently works as the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, is no stranger to breaking down barriers. Four years ago, as student body president at American University, the then-21-year-old made national headlines when she came out as transgender in the school’s student-run paper, The Eagle. Later in 2012, she interned at the White House Office of Public Engagement — the first out trans woman to work at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Today, McBride adds another “first” to her name — this time, at the Democratic National Convention.

“I’m certainly excited to have this opportunity,” she told NBC News in a phone interview this week. “I just hope I do my community proud.”

But McBride dwants people to know that “despite the historic progress over the last several years, a lot of work remains for the LGBTQ community until we’re treated equally in law and society.”

“I really want to use this moment to reinforce and underscore that behind this debate on trans equality, there are real people who are seeking dignity and fairness throughout their lives, people who hurt when we are ridiculed and mocked and discriminated against, people who are facing violence,” McBride said. “I want to make sure that people realize the humanity behind the conversation.”

Watch the first few minutes of her speech below, then HURRY and watch the rest online or on TV.