The outside world told black kids when I was growing up that we weren't worth anything. But our parents said it wasn't so, and our churches and our schoolteachers said it wasn't so. They believed in us, and we, therefore,… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
It is utterly exhausting being Black in America - physically, mentally, and emotionally. While many minority groups and women feel similar stress, there is… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever finally achieved. — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
I never thought I was breaking a glass ceiling. I just had to do what I had to do, and it never occurred to… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
In my generation, we learned how to be leaders by being exposed to and involved with adults who empowered us and gave us a… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
The old notion that children are the private property of parents dies very slowly. In reality, no parent raises a child alone. How many… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
When Jesus Christ asked little children to come to him, he didn't say only rich children, or White children, or children with two-parent families,… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
“Don’t feel entitled to anything you don’t sweat and struggle for” — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
You can't tell parents to teach children the value of work when we don't have jobs and the jobs we have don't pay a… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
To all those mothers and fathers who are struggling with teen-agers, I say, just be patient: even though it looks like you can't do… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
It really takes a community to raise children, no matter how much money one has. Nobody can do it well alone. And it's the… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
Democracy cannot breathe, indeed will die, if those enjoined to protect it and uphold the laws snuff it out - with no consequences. — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
Hunger and malnutrition have devastating consequences for children and have been linked to low birth weight and birth defects, obesity, mental and physical health… — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
We're spending, on average, three times more for prison than for public-school pupils. That's the dumbest investment policy. It doesn't make us safer. — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
You'd better stay determined, because that's how our ancestors got us where we are. — Marian Wright Edelman Copy Share Image
