ByQuotes

Chirlane Mccray Quotes

Powerful Chirlane Mccray for Daily Growth

About Chirlane Mccray

Chirlane McCray, born on July 15, 1957, in New York City, is an American poet, activist, and mental health advocate, best known as the First Lady of New York City from 2014 to 2021, married to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. However, McCray's influence extends far beyond her marital status, stemming from a rich literary background and significant work in mental health advocacy. Raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn by her mother, Dorothy Williams, a seamstress, and her stepfather, Richard Williams, a businessman, McCray developed a deep appreciation for literature at an early age. She earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Howard University and later completed a Master's degree in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. McCray's literary career began in earnest with the publication of her poetry collection, "Motherlode," in 1997. This work, which explores themes of motherhood, race, and identity, garnered critical acclaim and established McCray as a significant voice in contemporary poetry. In 2015, McCray co-authored "The Well Being: A New Yorker's Guide to Mental Health & Wellness," with a focus on mental health issues affecting the city's residents. As First Lady of New York City, she launched the ThriveNYC initiative, a comprehensive mental health program aimed at addressing the city's mental health needs. Through her writing and advocacy, Chirlane McCray continues to make significant contributions to literature and mental health awareness, carving out a unique space that combines personal narrative with societal impact.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We must be bold about our vision for change."

This quote by Chirlane McCray emphasizes the need for courage and determination when striving for progress and transformation. To "be bold about our vision for change" means to have the audacity to imagine and advocate for a better world, even if it seems impossible or unpopular. It encourages individuals to take risks, challenge the status quo, and strive for significant change in their communities, society, or personal lives. In essence, McCray is urging us all to dream big, act fearlessly, and never settle for the status quo.

"Real love means understanding, respecting, and accepting each other as we are."

This quote by Chirlane McCray emphasizes that authentic love transcends superficial appearances or expectations. Instead, it values understanding, respect, and acceptance of one's true self – the essence of who we are beyond our external attributes. In a loving relationship, both partners should appreciate, acknowledge, and celebrate each other's uniqueness while fostering mutual growth and empathy.

"Change is not just a dream or a wish; it's an action."

This quote emphasizes that change does not merely exist in the realm of aspirations or desires, but is something tangible and active. It suggests that bringing about positive change requires deliberate actions, rather than passive wishes or dreams. The focus lies on taking steps towards transformation, signifying an empowering call-to-action for those seeking progress in their lives or communities.

"In the end, resilience is all about self-respect."

This quote emphasizes that true resilience stems from a strong sense of self-worth or self-respect. In other words, when one respects oneself, they are more capable of bouncing back from adversity and overcoming challenges. It suggests that having a positive self-image helps in building the inner strength needed to be resilient.

"There is no greater investment than in the life of another human being."

This quote emphasizes the immense value of investing in other people's lives. It suggests that such an investment yields high returns, perhaps even more than any financial or material investment could. The implication is that by helping others, we contribute to their growth, well-being, and success, which ultimately benefits society as a whole. This perspective encourages us to view human connection, support, and nurturing as essential investments for our collective future.

A very tiny percentage of people with mental illness are also violent. We know this. The constant linking of the two together in national media is so misleading.

- Chirlane McCray

Constant, Violent, Very, Percentage

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?

- Chirlane McCray

Think, Race, Been, Holistic

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.

- Chirlane McCray

Woman, Color, Advantage, Identified

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

- Chirlane McCray

Leaders, Took, Piano Lessons, Corps

Government is not just about maintaining the status quo. It's about helping people's lives to work.

- Chirlane McCray

Government, Status Quo, Maintaining

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

- Chirlane McCray

My Life, Black, Very, Black Family

Telling my story has not been easy for me. I've had to dredge up memories I would have rather forgotten. The lonely, anxiety-ridden months I avoided others, attempting to hide from interrogations about my social life.

- Chirlane McCray

Been, Rather, Telling, Social Life

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.

- Chirlane McCray

Against, Making, Issue, Wherever

It's really hard to get enough sleep, so I try to end my days by 9 P.M. so my husband and I have time to watch TV, chat, and then I like to read for at least half an hour before bed, but we have a lot of events, and there are places to go and people to talk to.

- Chirlane McCray

Bed, TV, Half, Chat

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

- Chirlane McCray

Will, Always, Passionately, Supports

I went to Wellesley College, and it was really hard for me to get a job after I graduated. I would go into places where I would not see any black people at all in Boston - like, zero. And then in publishing in New York City, it was pretty much the same. I knew that it wasn't about the value of my work.

- Chirlane McCray

College, City, Boston, Graduated

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

- Chirlane McCray

Never, Belonging, Always, Outsider

I am more than just a label. Why are people so driven to labeling where we fall on the sexual spectrum?

- Chirlane McCray

Why, More, Label, Labeling

I like to go to the subway and hear what people are thinking and feeling and what their concerns are. You learn so much that way. You really do.

- Chirlane McCray

Learn, Go, Like, Concerns

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.

- Chirlane McCray

Memory, Very, Psychological, Stand Up

Pay equity matters because those dollars add up over time.

- Chirlane McCray

Matters, Over, Add, Equity

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.

- Chirlane McCray

City, Doing, Asking, Help People

Labels put people in boxes, and those boxes are shaped like coffins.

- Chirlane McCray

Like, Boxes, Shaped, Labels

Some people are just quiet - they don't need to be talking all the time and aren't extroverted, but they're not necessarily afraid to talk. I'm not really a shy person.

- Chirlane McCray

Shy, Need, Some, Extroverted

Finding the right person can be so hard that often, when a person finally finds someone she or he is comfortable with, she or he just makes it work.

- Chirlane McCray

Work, Right Person, Finally, Finding

When you become first lady, it's like, 'O.K., now what do you do?'

- Chirlane McCray

You, Now, Like, Lady

I would consider running for office. But not for mayor.

- Chirlane McCray

Running, Would, Consider, Mayor

'Bad mother' is probably the worst thing you can say to any woman who has children.

- Chirlane McCray

Mother, Woman, Bad, Worst Thing

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

- Chirlane McCray

Important, Depends, How, Symbols

Domestic violence is much more prevalent than people realize.

- Chirlane McCray

People, More, Than, Domestic

If you ask the right questions, you learn a lot about people.

- Chirlane McCray

Learn, Ask, Lot, Questions

Black women do not have as many positive images in the media as we should.

- Chirlane McCray

Positive, Black, Should, Images

I wish I had more time to read.

- Chirlane McCray

Wish, More, Read, I Wish

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

- Chirlane McCray

Woman, Color, Like, Workplace

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.