Marian Bergeson

"You feel like you’ve left your footprint and that you’ve made some difference in people’s lives, being helpful. … Sometimes you just have to believe that you can do it."

"Throughout California, Bergeson was known as a trailblazer for female politicians, initiating a wave of women successfully running for public office."

"We all started on local community councils and committees and worked our ways up, and so did Marian. That was her legacy for us – that you start there and achieve your goals all the way to Congress."

"An inspiration because she came from grass roots, which is where a lot of the women politicians from Orange County come from."

"made a difference for the citizens of California that will not soon be forgotten."

"There was never a problem that she didn’t think could be solved with people sitting down and talking it through. And that’s a throwback to a day that isn’t prevalent anymore."

"She also was really influential in not pulling up the ladder once she achieved what she did but instead reaching down and helping other women get elected."

"Throughout her political career, Bergeson kept a passion for improving education and citizens’ access to it."

"She was a pioneer who gave of herself without reservation, devoting her life to improving the lives of others, especially those with the greatest needs. In doing so, she raised the bar for public service in Orange County and beyond."