A biography for Ayanna Pressleyhasn’t been written yet.
“At the women's march, we held signs that said, 'Today we march, tomorrow we run.' They didn't believe us, but it's coming to pass.”
“We make a mistake when we stereotype neighborhoods as 'bad' and not worth our attention or investment.”
“If you look at the Affordable Care Act, ultimately that was saved not solely by lawmakers but because of the courage of individuals and families who went to Washington, who organized, who mobilized and said 'We're not turning around.'”
“My mother did not raise me to ask for permission to lead.”
“From drug companies to health insurers to Wall Street banks, big corporations are spending millions to buy influence in Washington and drown out the voices of regular people.”
“I've not been a decisively re-elected city councilor and top vote-getter three times because I haven't done the work and because I don't work hard.”
“My mother lost her job, so I left school to work full-time to support her.”
“We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform in this nation, and yes, comprehensive immigration reform proposals are nuanced and complicated, but you know what shouldn't be? Our capacity to see each other's humanity.”
“I knew I would be demonized as entitled and what no woman can ever be: ambitious.”
“I've just kept going, like millions of people do every day, because life does not allow them to do anything else.”
“For me, whatever vantage point that I'm serving, I'm going to be an advocate and do the work to actualize my values.”
“I would not invest in a Trump hate wall. We don't need to be protected from immigrants that are coming here seeking asylum and refuge.”
“Public service and community organizing and movement building is such a part of my DNA that it's really hard to separate it.”
“I understand and appreciate and respect that any time a barrier is broken or history is made, people want to celebrate it and mark it as progress.”
“In Washington, we need to pass a clean DREAM Act.”
“Our schools should be rewarding for all students.”
“We should be uncomfortable with the growing gaps in our society, and we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to these injustices.”
“Listening is something as elected officials, as leaders, we forget to do.”
“When I was growing up, 'Ebony Magazine' was a must read in our household. In those pages I found our news, our stories, and my pride.”
“At some point or another, everyone has felt unseen and unheard and marginalized.”