“If you don’t set your own agenda, somebody else will.”

Melinda Gates’s parents were a powerful influence in her life, this quote being an important life lesson from her mother: If a person doesn’t set their own goals or pursue things that matter to them, others will choose for them.

“As women gain rights, families flourish, and so do societies.”

Gender equality is not just beneficial to women, but everyone. The elevation and inclusion of women correlate with marks of healthy societies, from high rates of education, employment, and economic growth, to low rates of crime, domestic violence, and teen births. Elevating women also elevates societies.

“Wisdom isn’t about accumulating more facts; it’s about understanding big truths in a deeper way.”

As of her book’s publication, Gates devoted 20 years to learning about the people she hopes to help and putting this knowledge to use in her philanthropy. Her research allowed her to identify the root causes of illness and poverty—namely, the cultural, financial, and legal restrictions on what women can do for themselves and their children.