Watch Hillary Clinton's Childhood Pal Fight Tears as She Casts Illinois' Votes at DNC (VIDEO)

PHILADELPHIA — On a night that saw her become the first woman to be nominated for U.S. president by a major political party, Hillary Clinton had part of her Park Ridge past help her take a step closer to securing a possible future in the White House.

Childhood friend Betsy Ebeling cast the ballots for Illinois during the state roll call vote Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

"In honor of Dorothy and Hugh's daughter and my sweet friend, I know you're watching," Ebeling said, referring to the fact that Clinton was not in Philadelphia and was watching the convention from New York. "This one's for you, Hill."

Holding back tears, Ebeling then cast the state's 98 votes for Clinton, capping that with an emphatic, "Yes!"

Surrounding Ebeling were Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.

Watch Betsy Ebeling cast Illinois' votes for Hillary Clinton during Tuesday night's Democratic National Convention.

Along with being school pals and a longtime friend, Ebeling has been an active political supporter of Clinton's. She held an exclusive Park Ridge fundraiser for the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign in May.

Later in the night, Clinton made her first appearance of the convention in dramatic fashion on the large video screen following a montage of images depicting the 44 men who've held the office of the presidency — and a glass ceiling shattering into pieces.

PHOTO: Betsy Ebeling (C-SPAN)

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