Kim Reynolds quotes: Iowa’s first female governor talks addiction, second chances, reppin’ The Hawkeye State, leaving a legacy, and more.
“My message is that it’s never too late. If it’s something you want to do or if it’s important to you, go for it.”
“Don’t be afraid to step through some of that uncertainty that you might feel when you’re passionate about doing something.”
“What I’ve found is that every time you have that uncertainty, if you face it, walk through it, you grow as an individual and gain confidence.”
“If you’re willing to work for it, you can make your dreams come true.”
“If you work hard, dream big, anything is possible.”
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
“Seize the opportunities that exist.”
“You do everything that you can.”
“I am a firm believer that you can make a mistake but that shouldn’t define you. Everybody deserves a second chance. There are few things as powerful as the joy of someone who got a second chance and found their purpose.”
“If we look up and to each other, we will see that great things are happening.”
“We must be prepared to embrace the change that enriches our lives and lets us focus on what’s important.”
“I’m not about change for the sake of change, but we should always be evaluating any initiative we’re working on to see if we can do it better.”
“Every day is an opportunity for me to learn. That’s how I’ve approached life.”
“We must also understand that our education is never over. We are never done learning and we should never stop challenging ourselves.”
“I’m here to tell you it’s not too late. I’m living proof of that. Our lives are not set at age 22, 30, or even 50. It’s not just our values that are timeless, so are our opportunities.”
“Part of being a successful leader is listening and looking for opportunities to bring people together.”
“Compromise is part of how we get things done. When you show no willingness to compromise, then nothing ever happens.”
“I don’t think it is unreasonable to require 72 hours for someone to weigh their options and the important decision they are about to make.”
“The power of prayer and faith in God is something that has guided so many of us in good times and bad.”
“We worship God; we take care of our neighbors; and we strive to teach our children the same values and give them a life that is better than our own.”
“If we do that, we will have lived a life we can be proud of. A life that is worthy of the freedoms we’ve been given.”
“Don’t take a knee, get out there and make a difference.”
“Technology is impacting everything we do on a daily basis.”
“We know the job market is changing by the minute.”
“Education doesn’t just happen in a classroom. It starts at home and must be supported by the community. Our children learn from observing—from watching you and me. So we all play a part. We must all take responsibility for nurturing the character of the next generation.”
“We have to do everything we can to help students and adult learners to prepare for the careers of today as well as the careers of tomorrow.”
“It’s vital our students think differently and explore their options when it comes to post-secondary education, so they can be adaptable in the disruptive economy of the future.”
“Work-based learning is a game changer. It’s like test driving a career.”
“Who’s going to be against getting workers the skills they need to be successful?”
“Having more women in leadership helps our economy grow strong and our communities become even more vibrant.”
“The executive female talent gap is real, and that’s why it’s critical to champion women throughout their careers.”
“My journey started in the courthouse and went to the statehouse.”
“My budding political career almost came to an end in 1999 and 2000 when I was convicted twice of driving under the influence. It was the toughest time in my life when I came to the realization that I was an alcoholic and needed treatment. I fully expected to lose my job and was stunned when many in the community made it clear they were still in my corner. How do you say ‘thank you’ to a community who gave you a second chance? A lot of people don’t get a second chance.”
“I want to be a role model for others. I just hope by how I live my life every day that people can see there is another side to addiction. You can live with it and have a successful life.”
“What a country and state we live in where a small-town girl from rural Iowa can become governor and have the opportunity to serve Iowans at the highest level.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I believe a young girl growing up in St. Charles, Iowa, would one day receive a call from Terry Branstad asking her to be his lieutenant governor.”
“As lieutenant governor, I’ve traveled the world representing Iowa, working to expand our markets, while bringing investment and jobs to our state. I’ve worked on policy that attracts, retains and expands high-tech firms and fosters growth across Iowa.”
“I’m a pretty good listener. I’m a convener (of meetings) and a collaborator.”
“I’m never satisfied with status quo, and a desire to make a difference is what drives me.”
“I grew up learning the value of a dollar and not to waste it.”
“Opportunity lives here because of the ingenuity of our people.”
“I won’t stop until every Iowan has an opportunity to succeed.”
“I’m the number one cheerleader for the state of Iowa.”
“I’m not perfect. I’m not infallible. But I am an Iowan, through and through.”
“It is my responsibility, my challenge, to do my best. To give them the opportunity to write much more than ‘she was Iowa’s first woman governor.'”
“If there is one thing that COVID-19 has shown us, it’s the little things that we likely took for granted that made our lives seem normal.”
“When emotions are high and opinions are strong, it’s important to take a step back and realize that we’re all working toward the same goal. And even though we may not always agree on which path to take to get there, we are united in our desire to get back to the way of life we value.”
“We’re all in this together!”
“Thank you, God bless you.”
Related: Hillary Clinton quotes.
