Quotes from Ayanna Pressley

We desperately need comprehensive immigration reform in this nation, and yes, comprehensive immigration reform proposals are nuanced and complicated, but you know what shouldn't be? Our capacity to see each other's humanity.

I've just kept going, like millions of people do every day, because life does not allow them to do anything else.

I used to turn in, like, 20 money orders to pay my rent - $20 for this one, $30 for this one. I didn't have a checking account.

If you look at the Affordable Care Act, ultimately that was saved not solely by lawmakers but because of the courage of individuals and families who went to Washington, who organized, who mobilized and said 'We're not turning around.'

I never thought I had the monopoly on struggle or suffering.

Ultimately, we will never have a more inclusive and representative delegation - we will not change the complexion, the culture, or the representation - if we do not primary Democrats.

Because boys tend to dominate the narrative for who's at risk, sometimes they dominate the lion's share of services, too.

There's many law changes, policy changes I can point to. But a lot of my work has also been to name the issue that no one else named - to spotlight it, to advocate for it. That's where all advocacy begins. I've asked different questions. I've raised different issues.

Neighborhood restaurants matter.

Making progress on longstanding challenges requires a different lens and a new approach.

Our immigration system is fundamentally broken, and ICE's role in supporting the existing system - including separating families seeking refuge in the United States and conducting indiscriminate deportation raids in our communities - is creating an atmosphere of toxic fear and mistrust in immigrant communities.

We make a mistake when we stereotype neighborhoods as 'bad' and not worth our attention or investment.

At some point or another, everyone has felt unseen and unheard and marginalized.

Since being elected to the City Council, I have been unwavering in my commitment to address issues uniquely impacting women and girls and advance policies that stabilize and strengthen our communities.

I don't put too much stock in polls.

I went to a school with the kids of judges and elected officials and architects, civil leaders, and influencers. And I felt very much a minority in every way. But it did expose me to incredible things.

Listening is something as elected officials, as leaders, we forget to do.

I'm an only child, so I don't come from a big family. But it has been my observation from friends who do come from big families that usually, when you have a family fight, on the back end you come out better and stronger for it.

I am probably an outsider because I challenge conventional narratives about who should have a seat at the table.

For me, whatever vantage point that I'm serving, I'm going to be an advocate and do the work to actualize my values.

Let me be abundantly clear: I am black, and I am a woman, and I embrace both of those facts.

I don't have stars in my eyes. I'm not personally ambitious. I'm very aspirational.

I knew I would be demonized as entitled and what no woman can ever be: ambitious.