–Nancy Pelosi: Remember when a fraction of the Democratic party didn’t want this California Congresswoman to be Speaker of the House? She stepped into the role back in January and never looked back. She is no doubt now the most powerful woman in American political history.
–Greta Thunberg: She was Time magazine’s Person of the Year and made it her mission to educate people on the dangers of climate change. She also hasn’t been afraid to take on politicians such as Donald Trump. Here is one of her quotes that resonates, “I don’t care about being popular. I care about climate justice and the living planet.”
–Cindy McCain: John McCain’s widow endured multiple instances where Donald Trump and his supporters attacked her late husband. In spite of it all, she tried to stand up to the president saying, this is “not the party that my husband and I belonged to.”
–Jose Andres: This Chef time and again showed up to help feed people dealing with tragedy. When Hurrican Dorian destroyed several parts of the Bahamas his World Central Kitchen quickly assembled to feed thousands of people who otherwise may not have gotten a hot meal.
–Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The year started with RBG missing oral arguments for the first time since she joined the Supreme Court. It was one of the many health scares she faced in 2019. But each time she returned to the court as quickly as she could. And as usual, she hasn’t been afraid to dissent or speak her mind. When asked what historians will see when they look back on this time in American history she responded, “An aberration.”
–Jimmy Carter: The 39th president of the United States also endured several health battles this year. He never gave up on his work though, whether it was Sunday school or building homes for Habitat for Humanity the 95-year-old has continued to be an inspiration.
–Megan Rapinoe: The women’s U.S. soccer team co-captain was not just a champion on the soccer field, she was also a champion for equal pay. And she showed that she was a woman of principals when she declared, “I’m not going to the f**king White House.”
–Michelle Obama: This former first lady sure has a way with words. Whether she was on the stage at the Grammys or at one of her speaking engagements, she managed to lift us up with quotes like this one, “What truly makes our country great is its diversity. I’ve seen that beauty in so many ways over the years. Whether we are born here or seek refuge here, there’s a place for us all. We must remember it’s not my America or your America. It’s our America.”
–Dan Rather: We can’t put together a list of people who inspire us without this legendary newsman. He not only inspires us, but we get messages daily from readers saying his quotes inspire them. He always reminds us to stay “steady,” but also tells us “the gravity of what is before us.” With his experience and perspective, there are few people that can present a view to us through such a historical lens.
