Donna Christian-Christensen

you had asked me when I was graduating from George Washington in 1970 if I would be here doing this, I would have said no.

And if you had asked me in 1996, when I got elected, if I would be in a position to influence national health issues, or international health issues, I would have told you, “Oh, no, that wasn’t possible,” but today it is. And it’s really an honor and a privilege, and a responsibility, to be able to do that.

I think it’s really important for young people of color to see people of their own racial or ethnic background in positions like mine—not only on the political front, but also as a health care provider—so that they will know that yes, it’s possible for them.

Because sometimes in their day-to-day environment it may not seem that way. So I think it’s really encouraging for them to see us and to interact with us.