Words: Edwards is a firm believer in equal opportunity. He supports women’s economic rights and affirmative action for all minorities. “Equality is one of the abiding principles on which America is based; we need to make it an active principle, not a passive one. … All of us have a responsibility to build one America that works for everybody, across all racial barriers that still exist in this country.”

Actions: Edwards sponsored the Women’s Business Center Safeguard Act to increase funding for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women.

More about: Civil Rights, John Edwards.