Do not underestimate me. I believe that as a woman, a progressive, and a Minnesotan, I have a lot to contribute and I am so ready to do that work.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes self-confidence and the readiness to contribute to societal progress, particularly as a woman.
Tina Smith's quote highlights the importance of recognizing one's own potential and the valuable contributions that individuals, especially women, can make to society. By asserting her identity as a woman, progressive, and Minnesotan, she expresses a sense of empowerment and readiness to engage in meaningful work that drives change and promotes inclusivity.
In practice
In a women's leadership conference to inspire participation.
I don't have a horror story to share like the ones we have heard from so many women in the #MeToo movement... But when you really listen to women, you begin to understand the million little ways in which all women are made less and denied the opportunity to contribute to their communities and their country.
Moses was the greatest legislator and the commander in chief of perhaps the first liberation army.
When you disarm your subjects, however, you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you.
Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past - let us accept our own responsibility for the future.
Early on I realized that I had to hire people smarter and more qualified than I was in a number of different fields, and I had to let go of a lot of decision-making. I can't tell you how hard that is. But if you've imprinted your values on the people around you, you can dare to trust them to make the right moves.
When you were made a leader you weren't given a crown, you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others.
Leaders who refuse to listen, will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing helpful to say
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