Elizabeth Brater

"I never really envisioned myself running a city. It just kind of came upon me. It’s almost a force, a sense of responsibility that comes upon you."

"From a very early age, I was immersed in politics and surrounded with people who believed in the ability of government to help people"

"I knew nothing about how the Democratic Party worked in Ann Arbor. The next thing I knew, they made me ward chair."

"It’s kind of unbelievable"

"I haven’t been a woman (in office), I’ve been a mayor."

"One of my biggest regrets was having had to miss a lot of family time when my children were young, so I feel fortunate now that I’m retired to be able to spend time helping out with my grandchildren"

"Brater was cautious and sometimes secretive while pursuing an aggressive policy agend."

"The News, which was heavily critical of Brater at times, described Brater as an intensely reserved person, saying her adversaries saw her as calculating and secretive while her friends viewed her as shy and misunderstood."