Growing up, in church we had the homily; at home it's what I call the 'momily' - the inspirational and instructive mom-isms that every family has.

When we talk about feminism - equality without apology for all - we can't be talking about for all white women or all highly educated women but all women, regardless of color, class, creed, sexual orientation or identity.

Fault lines run along color lines in American public life, and the women's movement is no exception. Over the years, feminism has become more inclusive but there is still hard work to be done to include LGBT women and communities of color.

Man up' is a sexist term that should be retired along with all the other gender-based imperious imperatives.

I am the mother, and the emotional chord with my children is naturally strong. So there are times when I might get sleepless nights because I am worried.

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.

I don't feel I was ever a 'famous' child actor. I was just a working actor who happened to be a kid. I was never really in a hit show until I was a teenager with West Wing playing First Daughter Zoey Bartlet. In a way, that was my saving grace - not being a star on a hit show. It kept me working and kept me grounded.

I like to speak to my family in person. I get a bad rap because I don't use my phone enough to talk to them, but I do love talking in person, and I don't mind FaceTime, but actually, like, calling and texting, not too big on that.