When there is violence against any person in society, because he or she is different, it threatens us all. Only by speaking out are any of us safe.

We continue to blame the poor for their own condition. They are lazy. We do not want to know that the poorest of the poor are toddlers under three years of age.

Simply put, when women do well, everybody does better.

To be political means to speak out, to risk being called 'catty', or worse. I don't hear men worrying about whether they may be right or not. They enjoy the fight, whether it is with words or fists. Women still tend to shy away from controversy, to be uncomfortable with competition.

We're all basically made of the same stuff: generosity and selfishness, goodness and greed.

Most female CEOs have been more understanding than their male counterparts, of the stress that new mothers experience to 'do it all,' which often means, 'all by themselves.' Why? They've been there. They understand the policies needed to keep women in the workforce.

Political success is often dependent on the ability to be heard above the din of controversy and debate and to set a course with one's own compass.