Jennifer Belcher

"I came into politics out of The Women’s Movement… I have always been motivated by injustice."

"My career has not always followed the conventional path. Today of the diverse mix of jobs and challenges she’s faced throughout her life."

"I have really wrestled with the decision. I hate to leave anything unfinished"

"Along the way, Belcher earned a reputation for a work ethic as ramrod as her posture. When she swept into a room or stepped to a podium, it wasn't her high heels or beehive updo but her riveted focus and assertive command that snapped people to attention."

"The first meeting I had with her I thought, 'Oh my word, this is one intimidating lady. It was that posture of hers for starters, her hairdo, it was her whole demeanor; she took over the room"

"She was a revolutionary. She essentially turned that agency around, and it never went back."

"She didn't intend to be the first woman anything, she was who she was, she saw opportunities and possibilities to get things done."

"Timber was king here, not queen. She was fearless."

"Every time a woman takes that step out and has the courage and fearlessness and commitment to lead, especially when she is the very first … she opens the new door, the new opportunity, for every woman."

"She also listened to her employees — and worked hard to bring in new voices."

"In Belcher, he saw a leader who thrived in the job — and pushed others to, from diverse backgrounds."

"And she was the kind of person, whenever she got a promotion, she always had her hand out backward, pulling up someone else, behind her."

"I lived with her as a teenager, and she told me if you do not learn anything from me I want you to learn empathy for other people."

"She was a special person, a sharing person. Your state is much better for her. It is greener. It is more equitable. Because she worked for that."

"We will send her back, to be in the nature she loved and fought for."