Louvenia Bright

"She was very aware of the fact that she was a pioneer."

"Paved the way with humility, grace and intention for her and other women of color."

"Hers was a life of purpose, and I will always be grateful that she walked the halls of the Statehouse before me so I could feel a greater sense of belonging."

"While Bright was many things — devoted teacher, mother of two, advocate for racial equity — serving as a Vermont lawmaker was one of her proudest achievements."

"She loved it. She threw herself into it wholeheartedly. To me, it was probably the pinnacle of her professional life."

"She was actually more of an activist than a politician."

"She didn't think she'd win her first campaign, but her years of community involvement and a catchy slogan (“The Time is Right for Bright”) helped her secure a seat she held for three terms."

"She wasn’t looking to run. She wasn’t looking to be political."

"She chose the path that allowed her to be there and speak on behalf of people who weren’t there. And that made space for me to be much more visible, so that (people of color) could see themselves thriving, not just surviving. And I really thank Louvenia for surviving it, so that others of us could thrive."

"I think getting into politics was just a natural progression of what she was doing and how she was living her life."

"I'm so proud of my mom, yeah. I'm really, really proud of her. I wish I was in a place when I was younger to understand what she was doing at the time. I think if I was a little bit older when she was in politics and doing everything she was, it would have clicked a little bit more."

"Bright made history, and her portrait will make sure her story is shared for centuries to come."