I am a woman with a calling for social struggle and public service.

My top priority for 2012 will be to make a renewed push for women's economic empowerment and political participation.

I'm working for the women in the world, today; that's my essential issue.

There's full consensus in the military that women shouldn't be in person-to-person combat. I don't know if we have enough experience to know whether this is the right approach. But women can be elsewhere. We have mandatory military service in Chile. I pushed for women in all areas.

The United Nations should become a proactive agent in the dissemination of democratic principles.

I was a woman, a divorcee, a socialist, an agnostic . . . all possible sins together.

Violence ravaged my life. I was a victim of hatred, and I have dedicated my life to reversing that hatred.