Ayanna Pressley

“I went to a school with the kids of judges and elected officials and architects, civil leaders, and influencers. And I felt very much a minority in every way. But it did expose me to incredible things.”

“When I was ready to buy my first home after years of renting, I immediately zeroed in on Dorchester.”

“I'm doing what Democrats said we needed to coming out of 2016, after that sobering defeat, which is to build a bench, to usher fresh faces and new voices and new ideas.”

“I think people want to live in a city that is welcoming and inclusive. I don't think people want to feel that they can only go into a place with a rainbow flag in front.”

“We want Boston to be the safest bicycling city.”

“An increase in bicycle ridership brings an increased need for measures to ensure the safety of cyclists.”

“I'm an only child, so I don't come from a big family. But it has been my observation from friends who do come from big families that usually, when you have a family fight, on the back end you come out better and stronger for it.”

“I never thought I had the monopoly on struggle or suffering.”

“I think culture is a very challenging thing to reverse.”

“As I have always said, those closest to the pain should be closest to the power.”

“We must acknowledge that issues like systemic racism, economic inequality, and the achievement gap are the result of manmade policies.”

“Making progress on longstanding challenges requires a different lens and a new approach.”

“If the power was equitable, then our boards, then our commissions, our contracting, our wealth-building opportunities would all look very different.”

“Thanks to my mother's sacrifices, I was able to attend one of the best schools in Chicago.”

“When I hear 'politics,' I hear 'relationships.'”

“Raising me as a single parent, my mother held many jobs. Most of them had to do with the betterment and the advancement of our community and society at large. I grew up seeing her active in ministries at our church, with the homeless, as a social worker, with elderly, with youth, as a children's rights organizer with the Urban League of Chicago.”

“Bad influences and distractions were around every corner. But I also learned that my neighborhood could be a nurturing, positive place to grow up.”

“My priority will remain supporting those courageous individuals and organizations, among both Israelis and Palestinians, committed to bringing peaceful coexistence to the region.”

“It's important that people see themselves mirrored in government.”

“Because boys tend to dominate the narrative for who's at risk, sometimes they dominate the lion's share of services, too.”