Kamala Harris’ Most Empowering Quotes Will Give You Hope When You Need It Most

1. On her mother’s advice, during an interview with Good Morning America

“I was raised by a mother who said to me all the time, ‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things — make sure you’re not the last.’ “

2. During Harris’ Vice President victory speech

“Congressman John Lewis, before his passing wrote, ‘Democracy is not a state. It is an act.’ And what he meant was that America’s democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it. To guard it and never take it for granted. And protecting our democracy takes struggle. It takes sacrifice. But there is joy in it. And there is progress. Because we, the people, have the power to build a better future.”

3. On mental health in a conversation with Selena Gomez

“Mental health care, the way I think about it is that we have to understand health care. You can’t just think that the body starts from the neck down. We also need health care for the neck up.”

4. To People of her relationship with husband Doug Emhoff

“It’s important to be able to laugh at yourself and each other and we do a healthy amount of that.”

5. On Instagram, after being named TIME’s Person of the Year with President-Elect Joe Biden

“We’re at a moment where we’re being confronted by multiple crises that have converged — a public health crisis, an economic crisis, a long overdue reckoning on racial injustice, and a climate crisis. We have a lot we need to handle in the days ahead but I know together we can get it done.”

6. On Instagram

“Anyone who claims to be a leader must speak like a leader. That means speaking with integrity and truth.”

7. During an interview with Elle

“Optimism is the fuel driving every fight I’ve been in.”

8. On Instagram

“When I look at young girls and boys, and they look at me, they see themselves, and what they can be. That’s the weight that I carry, and the joy of the weight.”

9. On advice to yound women, in an interview with Marie Claire

“What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters. You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong.”