Do not underestimate me. I believe that as a woman, a progressive, and a Minnesotan, I have a lot to contribute and I am so ready to do that work.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes self-confidence and the readiness to contribute to societal progress, particularly as a woman.
Tina Smith's quote highlights the importance of recognizing one's own potential and the valuable contributions that individuals, especially women, can make to society. By asserting her identity as a woman, progressive, and Minnesotan, she expresses a sense of empowerment and readiness to engage in meaningful work that drives change and promotes inclusivity.
In practice
In a women's leadership conference to inspire participation.
I don't have a horror story to share like the ones we have heard from so many women in the #MeToo movement... But when you really listen to women, you begin to understand the million little ways in which all women are made less and denied the opportunity to contribute to their communities and their country.
When you get to be President, there are all those things, the honors, the twenty-one gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn't for you. It's for the Presidency.
A society that respects women needs to elect leaders who care more about women's lives than they do about their or their company's bottom line.
A leader's role is to raise people's aspirations for what they can become and to release their energies so they will try to get there.
Too many leaders are so caught up in the momentum of work that they lose sight of the opportunity to connect with people. I discovered that the more fully present I was with other people, the more fully present they were with me, and the more productive our relationship became over time.
One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.
Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters.
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