Betsy Hodges Quotes

Powerful Betsy Hodges for Daily Growth

About Betsy Hodges

Betsy Hodges, born on August 31, 1968, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an American politician, urban planner, and author known for her service as the 56th Mayor of Minneapolis from 2014 to 2018. Hodges attended Macalester College and later earned a Master's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Minnesota. Her interest in public service was fostered during her tenure as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, where she worked on community development projects. In 2005, Hodges was elected to the Minneapolis City Council, where she served for nine years before becoming Mayor. During her time on the council, she championed affordable housing initiatives, transportation equity, and environmental sustainability. As Mayor, Hodges led the city through challenging times, including the 2015 unrest following the police shooting of Jamar Clark and the subsequent protests. She also oversaw significant investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, and renewable energy projects. In addition to her political career, Hodges is an accomplished author. Her first book, "America's Fractured Politics: And How We Patch Them Up" (2018), offers insights into the divisive nature of American politics and proposes solutions for bridge-building and unity. Her second book, "Finding Light in the Darkest Times" (2020), is a collection of essays that reflects on her experiences as Mayor during times of crisis and upheaval. Hodges continues to be an influential figure in Minneapolis and beyond, using her platform to advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We can't just sit back and wait for solutions to come to us, we have to be the solution."

This quote emphasizes personal responsibility and proactive problem-solving. It suggests that instead of passively waiting for others to address issues, individuals should take initiative and become part of the solution. This perspective encourages individual empowerment and collective action in addressing societal challenges.


"In our democracy, we have the power to shape our own future. We can choose hope over fear, unity over division, and love over hate."

This quote by Betsy Hodges highlights the democratic principles that emphasize individual and collective agency in shaping society's future. She suggests that in a democracy, citizens have the power to make choices, and those choices can steer us towards positive values like hope, unity, and love, instead of negative ones like fear, division, and hate. This perspective underscores the idea that by exercising our democratic rights responsibly, we can create a more harmonious and progressive society.


"Let's work together to make Minneapolis a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

This quote emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, suggesting that the key to creating a prosperous city lies in working together as a community. The goal is to ensure every resident, regardless of their background or circumstances, has an equal opportunity to succeed and flourish. It's a call for understanding, cooperation, and the collective effort needed to create a city where everyone can reach their full potential.


"Our shared responsibility is to leave this world better than we found it for our children and our grandchildren."

This quote emphasizes that it is every generation's duty to preserve, protect, and improve the world for future generations, including our children and grandchildren. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of humanity, Betsy Hodges suggests that ensuring a sustainable, thriving planet for the next generations involves collective action and responsibility towards environmental stewardship, social justice, and ethical decision-making. In essence, it encourages us to strive for progress, understanding that our actions can shape and determine the kind of world future generations will inherit.


"We all have a role to play in making our community stronger, kinder, more just, and more inclusive."

This quote emphasizes that each individual has a significant part in shaping their community. The four ideals - stronger, kinder, more just, and inclusive - represent desirable qualities for any society to strive towards. It encourages everyone to contribute positively by promoting unity, empathy, fairness, and acceptance, thereby building a better future for all members of the community.


True public safety requires a collaboration between law enforcement and the community.

- Betsy Hodges

Law, Law Enforcement, Public, Collaboration

A tailor is a person's best friend as far as I'm concerned, because you can take things that fit OK or look OK, and if you get them tailored, they can be fabulous.

- Betsy Hodges

Best, Tailored, Concerned, Tailor

In Minneapolis, we believe in connection, not alienation. We believe in compassion, not indifference. We believe in love, but we are not timid.

- Betsy Hodges

Love, Indifference, Timid, Alienation

We need to be able to live in the city without a car; we need to be able to get around. The transit system has to be strong and work for everyone.

- Betsy Hodges

Strong, City, Need, Transit

Transit builds a city that people choose to live in.

- Betsy Hodges

City, Choose, Builds, Transit

We must shout out from the rooftops that Minneapolis is the best place on Earth.

- Betsy Hodges

Best, Earth, Must, Rooftops

I journal at the end of every day and just keep track of how things are going.

- Betsy Hodges

Every Day, How, Going, Journal

The world has a truly historic pope in Francis.

- Betsy Hodges

World, Historic, Pope, Francis

I lift weights. It's one of the reasons I get up so early.

- Betsy Hodges

Lift, Get, Reasons, Weights

I have the greatest respect for Chief Harteau. I was a very firm supporter of hers when her nomination was brought forward, and I think that her goals and values are in line with mine when it comes to the Police Department.

- Betsy Hodges

I Think, Very, Brought, Goals

As we are pursuing economic growth and economic development, we have to make sure it happens with and by and for everyone. That everyone gets opportunity.

- Betsy Hodges

Economic Development, Sure, Economic

When Donald Trump comes after any part of our community, he'll find 419,000 Minneapolitans and me standing squarely in his way. That's the kind of wall I can support.

- Betsy Hodges

Trump, Part, Donald, Squarely

I thank the officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, who work hard every day to help people in their most vulnerable moments, keep our communities safe, and build relationships and trust with the public.

- Betsy Hodges

Trust, Every Day, Our, Department

I know there are those in the community who, rather than have us invest more in policing, even for community policing, instead want us to disinvest in the police department. We need a police department. We are going to have a police department.

- Betsy Hodges

Need, Rather, Policing, Department

I'm a little obsessed with lip balm. When I go to a new place, I'll find the locally made natural lip balms and buy them as my little memento.

- Betsy Hodges

New, Natural, Obsessed, Balm

I find that if I don't have enough physical activity in life, I don't do as well with anything else in my life. It's stress relief; it's good health. It's fun. It's alone time, for the most part.

- Betsy Hodges

My Life, Activity, Part, Relief

What's not fascinating about 'Wonder Woman?' She's powerful. She's strong. She gets her strength from other women. She kicks butt in the world. You know, she's bulletproof, which is appealing. But she also has the Lasso of Truth. That's the thing I would want most, that Lasso of Truth. Because in politics, it would be very handy.

- Betsy Hodges

Strong, Politics, Very, Handy

My mother's first career was physical therapy, her second was writer, and her third career was president of an organic fertilizer company. And she's driven a tank.

- Betsy Hodges

Career, Therapy, Fertilizer, Organic

Too often when we talk about racial or economic justice, we white people do not see ourselves in the picture. We feel like it's all well and good for other people to do better, but not at our expense, and it won't benefit us.

- Betsy Hodges

Feel, Other, About, Economic Justice

Politics is challenging for everyone's integrity... I have to wake up with myself every morning, and I have to be OK with the person I wake up with. If I string together too many days of waking up with a person I'm not happy to be, I have a lot bigger things at stake in my life than an election or a job.

- Betsy Hodges

Politics, My Life, String, OK

Everybody is happier living in a mixed-income neighborhood.

- Betsy Hodges

Living, Everybody, Happier, Neighborhood

There are some folks at the teacher's union who aren't big fans of mine, in part, because I have been open and want to make sure everybody is sitting at the table as we talk about education.

- Betsy Hodges

Big, Some, Mine, Table

Prince was a child of our city, and his love of his hometown permeated many of his songs. Our pride in his accomplishments permeates our love of Minneapolis.

- Betsy Hodges

Love, City, Hometown, Accomplishments

For the residents of Minneapolis, the loss of Prince is too large to describe. His music brought untold joy to people all over the world. But in Minneapolis, it is different. It is harder here.

- Betsy Hodges

Here, Over, Brought, Minneapolis

The nexus of Donald Trump's hateful behaviors and policies around Muslim people and immigrants comes together right here in Minneapolis. I knew immediately that the people I represent were going to be very, very scared and very, very worried for their safety.

- Betsy Hodges

Here, Very, Donald, Minneapolis

Part of what makes Minneapolis such a vibrant place to live and work is that we have active residents of all ages.

- Betsy Hodges

Work, Vibrant, Part, Minneapolis

My first and foremost consideration is the safety of the people of the city of Minneapolis. And my first and foremost consideration is making sure that people can also express their constitutional rights peaceably.

- Betsy Hodges

City, Making, Sure, Minneapolis

For me, governing starts with people. It doesn't start with bureaucracy. It doesn't start with policy. It starts with people and what people need to thrive.

- Betsy Hodges

Bureaucracy, Need, Governing, Thrive

Donald Trump has his Twitter account, but so do I, and so do millions and millions of Americans. So the way that we can organize around that is different than what we had in the past, and we can use that tool for good, not just for evil.

- Betsy Hodges

In The Past, Trump, Donald, None

If Donald Trump wants to harm cities and the people who call them home, he'll have to come through me.

- Betsy Hodges

Through, Trump, Donald, None

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.