Living Legend Award Acceptance Speech - February 19, 2016

Good evening. I am Brenda Lawrence, the congresswoman from the Michigan 14th district, and I'm sorry I can't be with you tonight because I'm in Washington doing the people's work, but I am so honored to receive this award tonight and to receive the title of a Living Legend Award is just really humbling. I'm also honored to receive it with my colleague, Congresswoman Amma Adams.

It is so important that we understand the importance of women. While we've come so far, the many struggles that we have in front of us, and it requires every woman to stand up and to do the work and use her voice to make sure that the rights and the freedoms that we have achieved that we don't lose them. Many of our rights are under attack, but more important as each of us in every generation we must understand that those young women who are looking at what we do, when we're silent, and when we speak up, that we are paving the way for the next generation.

I also want to thank Dr. Lisa wicker for all of her leadership and recognizing the importance of highlighting women and supporting women and thank her for her leadership as well for this organization for many women across this country. Also one to say that the Career Master and Leadership Award Ceremony to highlight and recognize women is something that is so important. So good night to everyone, enjoy yourselves, and wish I was there and thank you again.