Karen Decrow Quotes

Powerful Karen Decrow for Daily Growth

About Karen Decrow

Karen DeCrow (December 14, 1937 – October 28, 2021) was an American feminist lawyer, author, and activist who played a significant role in the women's rights movement during the late 20th century. Born in Syracuse, New York, DeCrow graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in 1959 and obtained her law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1963. DeCrow's life and work were deeply influenced by the feminist movement. In 1966, she co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in Syracuse and served as its first president from 1967 to 1968. DeCrow was instrumental in drafting NOW's Bill of Rights for Women, which outlined key issues such as reproductive rights, equal pay, and an end to discrimination against women. In addition to her work with NOW, DeCrow served as the president of the National Women's Political Caucus from 1973 to 1974, worked on the National Commission for the Observance of International Women's Year (IWOY) in 1977, and was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1972 to 1976. DeCrow authored several books, including "The Winning of Women's Rights" (1973), which traced the history of the women's rights movement in the United States, and "When a Woman Makes a Decision: Law, Choice, and Freedom" (1984), which examined the legal issues surrounding abortion. DeCrow's life and work were marked by her unwavering commitment to gender equality and social justice. Her contributions to the women's rights movement have left an indelible mark on American history. DeCrow passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and progress for women everywhere.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The law can protect us, but it cannot heal us."

This quote by Karen DeCrow suggests that while laws are important for safeguarding rights, ensuring justice, and preventing harm, they alone do not have the power to address deeper emotional or psychological wounds. Laws provide a framework of accountability and protection, but they cannot mend the pain, restore trust, or bring about true healing in the wake of injustice or oppression. The responsibility for healing lies within communities, relationships, and personal growth, which often require empathy, understanding, forgiveness, and time. In essence, the law is a crucial tool, but it should be complemented by other means to foster healing and promote genuine social change.


"We must learn to respect the power we have as women, and not fear it."

This quote by Karen DeCrow emphasizes the need for women to recognize and embrace their inherent power, rather than viewing it with apprehension or trepidation. It suggests that women should cultivate confidence in their abilities and assertiveness, understanding that these traits are not threats but valuable assets. The quote encourages women to tap into their potential, contribute meaningfully to society, and promote gender equality.


"Silence will not protect you."

This quote, by Karen DeCrow, emphasizes that remaining silent in the face of injustice or oppression does not guarantee safety or protection. It suggests that those who stay quiet in times when action is needed are unlikely to escape harm or adversity. Instead, one should speak up and take a stand against issues that matter, even if it means risking discomfort or confrontation, because staying silent can contribute to the continuation of unjust situations. The quote encourages activism and advocacy, emphasizing that our voices are powerful tools for change.


"Justice is for all, but justice delayed is a denial of that right."

The quote emphasizes that justice, as an inherent right, should be accessible to everyone without discrimination. However, when justice is not promptly delivered, it effectively denies that right by making it inaccessible or unattainable for those who need it the most. Delayed justice can exacerbate suffering, prolong injustice, and erode trust in the legal system, as people are denied swift resolution and accountability.


"The real question is: What are our responsibilities? To ourselves, to each other, and most importantly, to the generations yet unborn."

This quote by Karen DeCrow emphasizes that our primary duty lies not only in our personal lives or current society, but also extends to future generations. It encourages us to consider our actions today, understanding that they will impact the world of tomorrow. We are responsible for ensuring a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all. This responsibility is crucial because we are not just living for ourselves, but also for those who will inherit the planet from us.


Despite the strength of the feminist movement in the 1970s and beyond, a fable has persisted that educated women are rejected as marriage partners.

- Karen DeCrow

Strength, Rejected, Despite, Fable

One year, I was a patron of a new opera. It was, to put it kindly, unpleasant to the ear. The friends I went with hated it. Keeping quiet about my contribution, I was outed when one of them, reading the program at the restaurant during dinner, saw my name.

- Karen DeCrow

Opera, Year, Unpleasant, Patron

No matter what is happening in life or in the world - war, natural disaster, poor health, pain, the death of loved ones - if existence is filled with art, music and literature, life will be fulfilling, a joy.

- Karen DeCrow

Death, Existence, Matter, Natural Disaster

First lady has been a thankless position. Eleanor Roosevelt was brilliant and had strong views. She was criticized for her politics and for her appearance. Mrs. Roosevelt was attacked for being too involved in politics. Bess Truman was criticized for being uninvolved in politics.

- Karen DeCrow

Strong, Politics, Been, Truman

I was running for mayor of Syracuse - the first woman to run for mayor in our city, or in New York, and one of the first in the United States. I was known for my strong conservation plank. In 1969, the term 'conservation' was hardly on the tip of every citizen's tongue.

- Karen DeCrow

Strong, Woman, City, Plank

Knowing constitutional law helps one at the opera. The trial in 'Billy Budd,' as example, invokes the fugitive slave clause of the U.S. Constitution.

- Karen DeCrow

Law, Opera, Clause, Fugitive

How did abortion and birth control impact the congressional race of Dan Maffei and Ann Marie Buerkle or the presidential race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? I don't know. But I think the so-called social issues were front and center in the minds of voters. These issues may indeed have lost the Republicans some elections.

- Karen DeCrow

Some, I Think, Congressional, Marie

If a woman makes a unilateral decision to bring pregnancy to term, and the biological father does not, and cannot, share in this decision, he should not be liable for 21 years of support... autonomous women making independent decisions about their lives should not expect men to finance their choice.

- Karen DeCrow

Father, Woman, Independent, Pregnancy

Our culture is intent on taking the lines out of people's faces - surgically, with costly creams, and with fear and trembling - when, in fact, the opposite should be the case. As artists know, if there is anything behind a face, that face improves with age.

- Karen DeCrow

Fact, Behind, Improves, Trembling

Composers most identified with the chamber music form are Corelli, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and, of course, Bach. Of course, Bach. If there is any one composer who gives us reason and emotion, it is Bach.

- Karen DeCrow

Reason, Composers, Schubert, Identified

The censors have always had a field day with James Joyce, specifically with 'Ulysses,' but also with his other writings. The conventional wisdom is that this is because of sexually explicit passages (and there certainly are those). I have always thought that what the critics hated and feared about Joyce is his cry for human freedom.

- Karen DeCrow

Thought, Other, Feared, Specifically

From 1961 to 1964, I was fortunate enough to work at a think tank in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago. As a writer and editor, I reported in a publication about the thinkers. Our offices were in a former mansion; I worked in what had been the ballroom. As I sat typing my copy, I imagined the dancers waltzing.

- Karen DeCrow

Dancers, Been, Offices, Publication

I enjoy practicing law too much to even contemplate retiring, but I often think about engaging in serious study of the history of art, of the intricacies of classical music. I could write a fugue, or perhaps learn to play the cello.

- Karen DeCrow

Play, Study, About, Cello

At 20 and 30, we are like travelers in a foreign country, reading the guide book to learn how to behave, to learn when the post office is open. Trivia looms important; critical issues fade into a pastel background, unrecognized.

- Karen DeCrow

Book, Country, Critical, Fade

Most of us believe that women can do what men do. The challenge is to convince employers, legislators, mothers, that men can do what women do.

- Karen DeCrow

Mothers, Most, Employers, Legislators

If supporters of equality for women want to vote for the best candidate, they must look to a person regardless of gender and must disregard the gender of political opponents.

- Karen DeCrow

Want, Political Opponents, Supporters

During the 19th-century struggle for women's rights in America, many saw a competition between rights for black people and those for women.

- Karen DeCrow

Competition, Black, Saw, Struggle

It is crucial to be healthy, for pain wipes out the possibility for pleasure, and severe pain removes the possibility of turning to the world outside the body. So we must establish the idea that it is important to look well, not to look young.

- Karen DeCrow

Pain, Young, Pleasure, Establish

Opponents of legal birth control, including abortion, have tried for decades to play the race card, saying that legal abortion is racist. What they ignore is that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted the Margaret Sanger Award from Planned Parenthood in 1966.

- Karen DeCrow

Play, Abortion, Planned, Decades

As any opera fan knows, lawyers and judges do not fare well in most operas. Just consider the productions of 'Andrea Chenier,' 'Aida, Norma,' 'Billy Budd,' 'Peter Grimes,' 'The Crucible,' 'Lost in the Stars,' 'The Marriage of Figaro,' 'The Makropulos Case' and Wagner's 'Ring' cycle. Around 1810, the theme of justice emerged in opera.

- Karen DeCrow

Lawyers, Opera, Fare, Judges

When I was in school, there was no such thing as girls' athletics.

- Karen DeCrow

School, Thing, Athletics

In my opinion, right up there with free public schools, our free public library system is what makes citizenship possible, even what makes America great.

- Karen DeCrow

Citizenship, In My Opinion, Public Library

In my opinion, the battles over birth control and Planned Parenthood are primarily neither political nor religious. This is an issue of equality for women. This is an issue of women's rights: Planned Parenthood is the most important private provider of reproductive health care for women in the United States.

- Karen DeCrow

United, Private, Religious, Battles

Is it a recent occurrence that women have tried to control when and if they reproduced? Absolutely not. By 2000 B.C., there was worldwide use of herbal potions to prevent pregnancy. Condoms were made from animal bladders.

- Karen DeCrow

Pregnancy, Made, Use, Recent

Education, doing homework, is the way to lift up girls. Around the world, where girls are educated, the economy and the standard of living rise.

- Karen DeCrow

Education, Doing, Standard, Lift

After 'Roe v. Wade' - when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973 - I thought the national conversation about abortion and birth control would be over. It was not.

- Karen DeCrow

Abortion, Over, Over It, Conversation

Fifty-nine cents. For years, I wore a button - '59 cents.' Many of my colleagues wore it also. The purpose was so that people would come up and ask, 'What does '59 cents' mean?' One could then launch into a discussion about how women working full time in the U.S. earn 59 cents for every dollar earned by men.

- Karen DeCrow

Purpose, Discussion, About, Button

Daddy was hilarious. He could take the most mundane event and tell it so that we all on the floor laughing. He trained me in the joys of humor.

- Karen DeCrow

Hilarious, Could, Trained, Laughing

When 'Carmen' premiered in 1875, it was panned by the critics. It survived 45 performances. It was called a musical and moral outrage. After Bizet died, at age 37, 'Carmen' became wildly popular. If you believe in your creation, and the rest of the world is laughing or yelling 'Boo,' don't give up.

- Karen DeCrow

Boo, Yelling, Became, Laughing

In the 1950s in the United States, few music lovers were listening to chamber music. Daddy played Bach and Haydn on our phonograph for me. Not only did I become familiar with the form; he discussed the concerti. My own head start. My own Head Start.

- Karen DeCrow

Own, United, Bach, Daddy

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