I owe a debt of gratitude to two other living Justices. Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg paved the way for me and so many other women in my generation. Their pioneering lives have created boundless possibilities for women in the law. I thank them for their inspiration and also for the personal kindnesses they have shown me.
Interpretation
This quote expresses gratitude to two influential women for their contributions to women's rights in the legal field.
Elena Kagan acknowledges the significant impact that Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg have had on her career and the opportunities available to women in law. Their pioneering work has opened doors and inspired many, and Kagan highlights both their professional achievements and their personal kindnesses.
In practice
In a speech about women's rights, one might quote Kagan to highlight the importance of role models.
To have the opportunity to lead the Solicitor General's office is the honor of a lifetime. As you know, this is an office with a long and rich tradition, not only of extraordinary legal skill but also of extraordinary professionalism and integrity. That is due, in large measure, to the people who have led it.
American radicals cannot afford to become their own worst enemies. In unity lies their only hope.
When the Senate ceases to engage nominees in meaningful discussion of legal issues, the confirmation process takes on an air of vacuity and farce, and the Senate becomes incapable of evaluating nominees or appropriately educating the public.
I think that if there are positions that you can't argue... then the responsibility is probably to resign. If one's own conscience is opposed to the requirements and responsibilities of the job, then it's time to leave the job.
If there is an ‘overabundance’ of an idea in the absence of direct governmental action - which there well might be when compared with some ideal state of public debate - then action disfavoring that idea might ‘un-skew,’ rather than skew, public discourse.
It's not that there are no masters, but that there are many. And the job of the solicitor general is to balance those masters and to accommodate them all, each in their proper places, wisely and well and in so doing to represent the people of the United States.
The first step is to find out what you love - and don't be practical about it. The second step is to start doing what you love immediately, in any small way possible.
Imagination is everything. _x000D_ It is the preview of life's coming attractions. _x000D_ Imagination is more important than knowledge. _x000D_ Never give up on what you really want to do. _x000D_ The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.
I'm always trying to prove to my 17-year-old self that I can do creative things I thought weren't possible.
I intend to bring you strength, joy, courage, perspicacity, defiance.
It's only in fairy tales that princesses can afford to wait for the handsome prince to save them. In real life, they have to bust out of their own coffins and do the saving themselves.
Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world.
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