"I believe that public service is what elected officials are supposed to be about. I know that not everybody sees it that way, some people see it as power, but power is supposed to be about allowing you to share, allowing you to serve others."

"Blair was a local pioneer who broke new ground for women and people with disabilities in Texas. She was a fighter who did not back down and was willing to stand for causes she felt were important. Blair was ahead of her time."

"People need to understand the importance of race. The racial issues predate the founding of the nation. Slavery predates the founding of the nation. We need to understand it has been a scar on the nation whether you are black or white or Latino. The refusal of this nation to come to grips with the role of race in policy making, in economic strategy, is holding this nation back and will take it down. You can’t think about going into the world of policy without understanding that legacy and the impacts of that legacy and how it impacts everybody and everything. Until you have the education, you will not be effective."

"By giving people a clear vision of what can be. People want to be able to be helpful, but they don’t have a clear vision of how to be helpful. People need a north star and they need to know that there’s a way to be able to get there."

"Everything can be turned into an opportunity and a learning moment so I try not to dwell on things. I think the things that are hardest are finding the resources to meet the big vision. When you’re in this work, trying to have transformative impact, that’s a huge vision and the money comes in small amounts. The combination of it always hanging on your neck, that you have to go raise more money and the reality that it’s going to small amounts is enough to discourage anybody but I think all of us who are in the business have made the decision to just put that aside as something we’re not going to let discourage us."

"I figured if we could pursue creative solutions for better services to those who were underserved, starting with babies, children and women, then all citizens would benefit."

"Her legacy will live on through her many contributions to the world."

"Both sides ask me to do it. I really love law. I will always take law cases as long as people want me to do it."

"Politics is an open-ended opportunity to make life better for others"

"We were arrested for feeding people on the subway"

"If you’re not being challenged academically, it’s hard to stay motivated. Why hold yourself back."

"But my mom was never bitter that things didn’t go her way better. She was surrounded by love, and to her that was better than money."

"Barbara considered her mom’s words just short of gospel."

"Black’s current ventures are fueled by a conviction that change, no matter how incremental, has the power to transform lives and empower communities. Her unwavering commitment to creating a better future serves as an inspiration to many who strive to make a positive impact on the world around them."

"With her extensive experience in public service, Black continues to make significant contributions outside the political arena."

"Following her tenure in Congress, Diane Black embarked on a new journey filled with exploration and growth. She recognized the value of leveraging her vast knowledge and expertise to make a positive impact beyond the political realm. Black’s transition has allowed her to explore new ventures that align with her passion for public service and dedication to improving the lives of others."

"Black’s dedication to community involvement is evident through her philanthropic endeavors. By supporting various charitable organizations and community initiatives, she strives to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals in need. Through her leadership and collaborative spirit, she encourages others to join her in making a difference."

"She had seen what a challenging life looked like."

"In [nursing] school, we are trained right from the very beginning that we always go back and look at the root cause. I’ve used that methodology in my policymaking. I look at a problem and look at the root cause."

"I firmly believe now what I believed then. As elected officials, we are public servants and must be held to the highest of standards."

"If I had known that, oh my gosh, I would have jumped right on that and said that is wrong and we cannot do that,” Black said in 2017."

"Louise Williams Bishop has achieved an incredible degree of personal success in three separate, but related careers -- radio, the ministry and politics. The theme that runs through all her work is her desire to bring inspiration and assistance to those people in need."

"My personal aspirations are no different than anyone else’s, we want our families to be healthy and happy and fulfilling. We want our neighborhoods to be neighbourly and have a sense of community. We want to live in peace. Those are my personal aspirations."

"In these last years, visiting with her family brought her the most pleasure."

"I thought I would be able to persue this career withease, but to my dismay - it was literally impossible to break into this field especially being not only female, but a black female."

"Black pointed to her own experiences with sexual harassment in the “Good Ol’ Boy culture” of the Tennessee legislature and described an uncomfortable moment with a colleague in 1998. She joined others in Congress advocating for transparency when elected officials are involved in harassment cases."

"She served as a role model and mentor to numerous young men and women throughout her distinguished career in public service."

"She never called me her stepson. She called me her son. She was always on my side, as long as I was doing the right thing."

"Over the years I’ve reflected on … all of the seeds that she has planted in me, and how she has watered them over the years and watched them grow. She has made me feel like there’s not anything that I can’t accomplish, that I can’t do, that I can’t overcome."

"She might disagree with a stance of someone else on council, but she was always very respectful. She never made it personal, and boy, could we use some more of that in politics today"

"Mrs. Birckhead always gave of her time and talents. Volunteering was her life’s work."

"This was a lady who respected space and time in politics. She wasn’t about the buddy-buddy system. She was about moving forward and what’s in the best interest of the community, not the individual."

"The diversity of Mrs. Birckhead’s background is remarkable."

"My social change aspirations mirror that. I want that for myself and I want that for everybody. I think we need to create a world in which that can happen. One that is peaceful. One that values all human life where there is no hierarchy of human value. All human life is scared. Black lives matter. All lives matter. But all lives will never matter until black lives matter. I want to have a society in which people get that and our institutions are aligned with our aspirations."

"She made a significant impression on all who knew her."

"In the end, it’s not what you practice, it’s how you practice."

"Former Chancellor Blank was a tireless leader whose impact on campus is undeniable."

"I love the justice part of being a judge. Every case affected real people. When I became chief justice, I liked the opportunity for real change."

"Nevada faces unique challenges given its rapid growth and an increasingly diverse community. These challenges require dynamic leadership combined with the ability to achieve political consensus to meet the needs of our state. I believe my varied experiences have helped me develop the qualifications necessary to serve as an effective secretary of state."

"Gertrude Berman was a tireless promoter and advocate for the highest quality education and treatment for her children."

"She got her way more than she ever lost. She was a very tough woman. She could handle herself in any situation and you didn't have to mince words around her."

"Having been involved in Nevada's political forum and a member of the ethics commission, I am well suited to serve Nevada in the oversight of the elections, business governance as well as securities and investments. I look forward to the opportunity to serve Nevada again."

"Carol Berman was a hardworking public official who continued to benefit the community long after her service as a senator."

"My mother lived a wonderful life. On hundred years is a lot to cover."

"Ms. Berman developed relationships with governors, county executives, school districts and political representatives as well as sports and entertainment notables."

"I can only say, as former president of the Mill Brook Civic Association, Carol was always there for us with issues that affected us. You could always reach out to Carol and she was quick to respond. She was a very warm and caring person, and will be greatly missed."

"She had a great sense of fairness"