"My mom grew up in poverty in Oklahoma - like Dust Bowl, nine people in one room kind of place - and the way she got out of poverty was through education. My dad grew up without a dad, with very little and he also made his way out through education."

"I'm still really close with everyone at home and their parents - and their brothers and sisters. I was so, so, so lucky to grow up as part of a community and I don't take that for granted. I try very hard to stay part of it."

"We all have a responsibility to volunteer somewhere and I'm lucky that I get the education and get taken to places to see what's out there and see what's happening and to then be a part of it in hopefully an impactful way."

"My sisters both are working mothers. I understand that my being an actress as well as being at home isn't some heroic thing. That doesn't mean it isn't confusing or difficult - especially that question of how you find a balance."

"The American President resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek."

"Nature teaches us a valuable lesson: the truest form of bravery is vulnerability."

"The ocean of adversity cannot drown the spirit that resolves to stay afloat. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history."

"Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature, but he is a thinking reed."