America celebrated the Fourth of July yesterday. Patriotism reigns. Often that patriotism is expressed by quoting great Americans—usually white males. There are voices that have been suppressed for many years. These quotes are from women whose stripes are red and white and blue.
On Freedom
Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.
Coretta Scott King, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr.
I’d like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted other people to be also free.
Rosa Parks
On Patriot(ism)
A patriot is not someone who condones the conduct of our country whatever it does. It is someone who fights every day for the ideals of the country, whatever it takes.
Kamala Harris, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,
True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Book of Common Sense Etiquette.
On America
The essence of America, that which really unites us, is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion. It is an idea, and what an idea it is—that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.
Condoleezza Rice
The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.
Michelle Obama
Our nation has not always lived up to its ideals — yet those ideals have never ceased to guide us. They expose our flaws, and lead us to mend them. We are the beneficiaries of the work of the generations before us, and it is each generation’s responsibility to continue that work.
Laura Bush
In America nobody says you have to keep the circumstances somebody else gives you.
Amy Tan, The Opposite of Fate.
We believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone, for people of all races and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people and for people with disabilities. For everyone.
Hillary Clinton
Celebrating America
I stand proud and brave and tall. I want justice for us all. So color me America, red white and blue.
Dolly Parton, “Color Me America”
Whether you love or hate fireworks, apple pie, or other American things remember America isn’t perfect. Our imperfections and injustices are many. But always remember to celebrate the dream of America. Remember the men and women who soldier on for our ideals, for freedom and justice for all. Listen to the men who gave voice to those ideals. And always listen for the voices of women whose stripes are red white and blue.