During the election, I had three male opponents and we went into a runoff. The front runner for the men was a native of Dallas who had run at large before, but I had a higher profile than him from my community service.

All issues are women's issues - and there are several that are just women's business.

Generally speaking, historically in this country, the care of a child has been thought of as female business.

Well, I happen to believe all business is female business.

There are still traces of discrimination against race and gender, but it's a lot different than when I started out. It just comes quietly, slowly, sometimes so quietly that you don't realize it until you start looking back.

The health effects of air pollution imperil human lives. This fact is well-documented.

I try hard to convince them it's important - but there's a history of discomfort with minorities voting in some parts of this country, so most especially the older people have to get accustomed to it.