Chirlane McCray

I'm a woman and a person of color; I know what it's like out there in the workplace.

We have to think about the state of women in a more holistic way going forward. We can't be segregated by class and race as we have been. Because even the women at the top can do something about violence against women, right?

You can be chased home or hit or called names or spit on, and it's over. You have the memory of it, but it's very different from the emotional and psychological experience of feeling invisible, of not learning the confidence to stand up in class and speak.

Violence against women is a huge issue. A good feminist should be working on that - making the world a safer place for girls and women, wherever they live.

It took a long time for me to get into 'I'm taking care of kids,' and what that means.

I have the advantage of many perspectives as someone who has lived in different kinds of communities: as a woman, as someone who previously identified as a lesbian, as someone who is a person of color. I've had a lot of life, so that informs what I do.

Symbols are important. It depends on how they're used.

I had never had a deep sense of belonging anywhere. I always felt I was an outsider.

I know my husband loves me fiercely and passionately. I know he supports me and will always stand up for me.

I'd like to be out in the city every day, listening to what people are saying and asking about what they need. I'd like to inspire others by doing as much as I can to help people who are trying to make a better life for themselves and others.

My life was very compartmentalized. I went to a school that was all white, and then I went home and to my black family.

I was a lifeguard, camp counselor, the president of the YMCA Leaders Corps. I also took piano lessons. I was a dancer.