Quote

As I contemplate the kind of future I want for children-my own and other people's-I believe we must look inward to God for guidance and strength and backward to draw on the values and legacies of our families, ancestors, and communities.

Marian Wright Edelman

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Marian Wright Edelman
Age: 85
Born: 1939
Born: June 6
Activist
Lawyer
Writer
Bennettsville
South Carolina
Future
Communities
Legacies
Look
Legacy
Contemplate
Looks
Families
Backward
Must
Draw
Ancestors
Children
Draws
Ancestor
Kind
Strength
Contemplating
Believe
Community
Inward
People
Values
Guidance

More quotes by Marian Wright Edelman

Image
Be a good ancestor. Stand for something bigger than yourself. Add value to the Earth during your sojourn.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
I worry about the kids who have too much. As a parent living in a so-called good neighborhood with children who went to private high school, I found myself spending much time in parent groups worrying about alcohol, unsupervised parties, and parents not being parents. We've got to send messages to our kids about what is important.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Don't wait for, expect, or rely on favors. Count on earning them by hard work and perseverance.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Understand and be confident that each of us can make a difference by caring and acting in small as well as big ways.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
In trying to make a big difference, don't ignore the small daily differences we can make.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Be grateful for good breaks and kind favors but don't count on them.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Parents have become so convinced that educators know what is best for their children that they forget that they themselves are really the experts.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Each American must remember and help America remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
I'd like to transform the system in very fundamental ways, but you've got to do that in every way that you can. You can't wait for some magic bullet or some magic politician or some magic anything to have that happen. You got to get out there and use your vote.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
The core of the culture is racism and how black men are viewed. They've always been demonized and seen as threats in our culture. Another holdover from slavery. We've got to deal with that core root of racism and demonization of the upbringing of black men. Black women are not exempt by any means.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
The future which we hold in trust for our own children will be shaped by our fairness to other people's children.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
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.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Education is a precondition to survival in America today.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
I grew up in a very religious family and it is the motivating force to every thing I do. I am fortunate to have had adults all around me who really lived their faith, in helping other people and doing the best you can do.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
That's not to say that some of the new media is not advantageous. You can reach lots of folks with what Black Lives Matter is doing, mobilizing people. God bless them.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
Children don't vote but adults who do must stand up and vote for them.
Marian Wright Edelman
Image
I get very upset with all of the crowd seekers today, and people out there trying to get on TV. It ain't about you. It's about trying to make the world more just for everybody.
Marian Wright Edelman