Thinking about the world writ large, I am more optimistic than not that we will tackle our most pressing challenges, whether poverty or equality for women and girls or climate change; but I also know we'll only tackle them if people are really informed about the challenge and what's proven to work.

I love the right words. I think economy and precision of language are important.

Celebrate those who have the courage to be second.

My parents were very firm about me always getting my homework done.

I can't imagine anything that would make the world look more different than if women and girls were unequivocally enfranchised.

My grandmother, who passed away at the beginning of November, had a core adage in her life that life is not about what happens to you but about what you do with what happens to you. She recently had been cajoling me and challenging me to do more with my life. To lead more of a purposefully public life.

My most important identity now is as a mother.