“There is nothing wrong with a C on your report card as long as you are searching for your gifts.” – Lori Wardian

“Don’t ever rely on a man for your financial security. This was advice from my mom in the 1960s. She was a career woman and a feminist. My dad was sporadically employed. When I started working, she encouraged me to contribute the max to my 401k before I really understood what a 401k was.” – Meegan Holland

“My grandmother used to tell me, when things got bad in my life, not to worry because ‘it all comes out in the wash.’ ” – Ralph P. Fontcuberta, III

“My mom always said, ‘If you treat people the way you want to be treated, you”ll never have trouble sleeping.’ ” – Roberta Bruhn

“When I was raising teenagers, [my mom] told me that teenagers are on a roller coaster full of ups and downs — but that as tempting as it would be to get on the ride with them, it would be better for all of us if I stayed on the ground.” – Kelly Ramsey

“When I was growing up, I asked a lot of questions, and my mom always said, ‘You’re smart. Figure it out.’ This got me to dig deeper and believe in myself. As a parent now, I’m pretty sure she just wanted me to stop bothering her, but it made me a more confident and competent human, so I’ll take it!” – Elizabeth Shen

“Pretty doesn’t buy the groceries.’ While not super helpful in the moment, [and] usually said when I was concerned about clothes, she was right. Growing up as a teen girl, the focus on beauty was extreme, and my mom’s feminist perspective has helped shape my lens of the world.” – Sarah Switzer

“My mom always said when I was complaining about someone, ‘It takes all kinds of people to make a world.’ ” – Judy Peters