Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelmanis an American activist for the rights of children. She has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. She is president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionActivist
Date of Birth6 June 1939
CountryUnited States of America
leader trying connections
In my generation, we learned how to be leaders by being exposed to and involved with adults who empowered us and gave us a sense that we could choose things. We've let down the generations coming behind us and we are trying to re- establish that connection.
country children leader
Far less wealthy industrialized countries have committed to end child poverty, while the United States is sliding backwards. We can do better. We must demand that our leaders do better.
steps one-step-at-a-time women-leadership
You just do it one step at a time.
justice leader movement
We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who will keep seeding and building transforming movements.
people leader obsessed
People want to pick the leader, and we are obsessed with celebrity and whoever is on the cover of this or that.
people leader political
People who don't vote have no call on political leaders!
afraid driving faith liberals moral people perceived talking
My faith has been the driving thing of my life. I think it is important that people who are perceived as liberals not be afraid of talking about moral and community values.
aware children home key kid love meeting simply
The key is that your children are aware that you love them a lot, and that you are there when they really, really need you. If a kid was ill, I would simply leave a meeting and go home.
beneath civil clear economic social unless
It was clear to me as a civil rights leader in the '60s that unless we put the social and economic underpinnings beneath the political and the civil rights, we wouldn't go anywhere.
determined ancestor
You'd better stay determined, because that's how our ancestors got us where we are.
commitment lists sleeves
It is time for every one of us to roll up our sleeves and put ourselves at the top of our commitment list.
children two class
God did not create two classes of children or human beings-only one.
inspirational kings thinking
Dr. King used to say, 'I was sitting in the back of the bus, but my mind was always up front.' Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it. You aim high and you work very hard and now I think it's clear that you can be anything you want to.
government work-out needs
I need to work outside government, on my own,