Educated people can make their own choices about their governments. And certainly for women, an education allows you to understand your rights.

A love of books, of holding a book, turning its pages, looking at its pictures, and living its fascinating stories goes hand-in-hand with a love of learning.

In many developing countries, girls don't go to school. They stay home. They are at the water wells, bringing water back and forth to the village. Or they are doing chores, preparing meals, farming. Some cultures think girls and women shouldn't be educated, and those are very often the places where the treatment of women and girls is the worst.

I have always admired organizations that help children grow and learn, and organizations that protect and shelter children when no one else does. And I wanted to draw attention to these organizations and recognize the contributions they were making to the country and to our children in particular.

I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.

Books are important. They help you sleep at night.

I've always loved children. When I was working with children as a librarian, I loved being with them and working around them.