My mother taught me a lot of things, but they had big presuppositions built in - like her expectation that I'd be a missionary nurse in a religious order.

My satisfaction comes from my commitment to advancing a better world.

The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.

Men's reproduction isn't regulated by the state -- and it shouldn't be. Neither should women's.

Until the day arrives when all women decide that our rights are not negotiable, our future choices will not be secure.

The influence of one's parents is powerful and permanent.

Whoever is providing leadership needs to be as fresh and thoughtful and reflective as possible to make the very best fight.

One of the sad commentaries on the way women are viewed in our society is that we have to fit one category. I have never felt that I had to be in one category.

Social change rarely comes about through the efforts of the disenfranchised. The middle class creates social revolutions.

I have never believed in the impossible.

The deal is that women have entered the workforce, but they have not been relieved of the domestic responsibilities.

Human ties are the greatest distorters of reality because they tend to conceal man’s worst selfish instincts.

The inexorable boredom that is at the core of life.

We never make a decision. When the time is right, the decision makes itself.

I've gained great respect for the Republican leadership. I've gained great respect for many - and I'm going to even say - I mean, in different forms for the people on the dais, in different forms.

One of my dream collaborations is to work with Sade. I would love to work with Andre 3000, Miguel.

I don't have a shred of regret about entering the exchange-rate mechanism.

To our own sorrows serious heed we give, But for another?s we soon cease to grieve.

Stay in one place too long and the tide can overwhelm you. Ride the tide, surf the waves, stay on top of the changes.

When I exhale, I just turn right into Louie Anderson.

I consciously try not to play favorites with my characters or my books.