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Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman Quotes

Activist

Marian Wright Edelman is a prominent American civil rights activist and lawyer, born on June 6, 1939. She has dedicated her life to advocating for children's rights and social justice, particularly through the establishment of the Children's Defense Fund in 1973. Edelman's work has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of children in the United States.

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Famous Marian Wright Edelman Quotes

“I have always believed that I could help change the world, because I have been lucky to have adults around me who did.”

World Has Beens Helping Lucky Adults Changing The World Always Believe

Book:The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

Source: The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

“In my generation, we learned how to be leaders by being exposed to and involved with adults who empowered us and gave us a sense that we could choose things. We've let down the generations coming behind us and we are trying to re- establish that connection.”

Trying Behinds Leader Generations Involved Adults Connections Exposed Empowered My Generation Let Down

Author:Marian Wright Edelman

“It is the responsibility of every adult... to make sure that children hear what we have learned from the lessons of life and to hear over and over that we love them and that they are not alone.”

Children Education Responsibility Learning Lessons Adults Life Lesson Not Alone

Book:The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

Source: The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

“What's wrong with our children? Adults telling children to be honest while lying and cheating. Adults telling children to not be violent while marketing and glorifying violence... I believe that adult hypocrisy is the biggest problem children face in America.”

“Children don't vote but adults who do must stand up and vote for them.”

Children Adults Vote

Author:Marian Wright Edelman

“If parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out.”

Ifs Stills Parent Family Generations Racism Jokes Adults My Family Gender Poison Role Models About Family Snuff Snickers Ending Racism

Book:The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

Source: The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours

“I feel very lucky to have grown up having interaction with adults who were making change but who were far from perfect beings. That feeling of not being paralyzed by your incredible inadequacy as a human being, which I feel every day, is a part of the legacy that I've gotten from so many of the adult elders.”

Feels Humans Feelings Human Beings Perfect Lucky Adults Incredibles Legacy Interaction Elders Making Changes Inadequacy Paralyzed

Author:Marian Wright Edelman

“I grew up in a very religious family and it is the motivating force to every thing I do. I am fortunate to have had adults all around me who really lived their faith, in helping other people and doing the best you can do.”

People Helping Force Can Do Religious Grew Grew Up Adults Helping Others Fortunate Helping Other People Religious Family

Author:Marian Wright Edelman

About the Author

Born: June 6, 1939
Known for: Activist
Quotes: 175

Related Topics

Children People Ifs Parent Black Community Trying World America Helping African American Care Nations Thinking Inspirational Action Adults Enough Giving Justice

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People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

The Measure of our Success: A Letter to My Children and YoursRelated source material

Families in Peril: An Agenda for Social ChangeRelated source material

Lanterns: A Memoir of MentorsRelated source material

Dream Me Home Safely: Writers on Growing Up in America – Intimate Essays on Diverse ChildhoodsRelated source material

Guide My FeetRelated source material

Japan & the U.S.: where are we today?Related source material

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