Ann Bedsole

"I always kind of thought I’d just work at the sawmill. But life, as it often does, had other plans."

"It was called the Lawless Pool. “Because Mr. Lawless ran it. I always thought that was a funny name."

"The problem is, sometimes you get too interested."

"It was a really good childhood, It was typical of the ‘30s in Alabama. Nobody locked their doors … If you did anything bad, misbehaved, your mama got a call, no matter where you were."

"I’ll tell you what, I married when I was 19, and after a while I had two children. We married way too young, didn’t know what we were doing, and very quickly decided we would get a divorce."

"I really didn’t like being in the House. It’s really difficult to get anything done. He’s just so good looking."

"I was ready to leave for the Senate right then. I just thought, not even the women can stick together in here."

"It’s really hard to be by yourself day in and day out and not talk to other people"

"I did not run to be the first woman (elected to the Senate). I didn’t run from that perspective at all. I ran because education needed help."

"The No. 1 priority is to thank her for what she has done for the school."

"Her background and her experience allowed her to connect with anyone. She projected a warm, caring personality whether she was talking to a rich country club member or a single mother wondering how she would feed her family."

"Truly a modern-day Renaissance woman whose talent, drive and community spirit have long served as an inspiration for everyone and especially other women."