September 10, 1977 — National Women’s Political Caucus, San Jose, CA

Sisters, you were all here because you are smart. You are committed to an idea that is much larger than ourselves or the length of our lifetimes. You want to elect women to public office because we want to gain some control over the issues that affect our lives.

We want the women of America to understand what it is to be raised female in a society where we have met the government and it is not us. Somebody is making laws in this country that affects our legal rights, even our basic right to control our own bodies. And there are not enough of us among those somebodies.

We’ve learned that we have to win our fight, then win it again four years later, and four years after that. . . 

We are in for a very, very long haul. 

I am asking for everything you have to give… 

We will never give up. You will lose your youth, your sleep, your patience, your sense of humor and occasionally . . . the understanding and support of people that you love very much. In return, I have nothing to offer you but… Your pride in being a woman, and all your dreams you’ve ever had for your daughters, and nieces, and granddaughters. . . Your future and the certain knowledge that at the end of your days you will be able to look back and say that once in your life you gave everything you had for Justice.