Lisa Madigan
The Reformer
Changing the system from inside it, principle turned into change.
Lisa Madigan is a former Attorney General known for her focus on social justice and reforming institutions to better serve communities. This interview reveals her dedication to addressing systemic issues and her belief in the importance of community engagement in the reform process.
“Absolutely. And so when I came home, I really wanted to find a job where I would have an opportunity to translate some of what I had seen and what I have learned back into communities and for people here in Chicago.”
“I got a chance to see some of them this past August when I was in South Africa and Mozambique. But their commentary back to me, which I really treasure, is the fact that a young American woman who had just gotten out of college and had any number of opportunities available would come and live in South Africa during such a trying time and…”
“Sure, I mean, as you said, it was awkward. And I think it was unfortunate. But it is what it is. And so, you know, the wonderful thing that I know from my life experience is that there are innumerable ways to serve and to make a difference. You can do that direct service teaching. You can do that as a lawyer.”
“Weeks after I graduated, I got on a plane and went to Johannesburg, South Africa, and ultimately went down to a place called Montebello, which is a school that was about an hour and a half northwest of Durban in KwaZulu. And I found myself with a government degree in an English minor suddenly teaching two giant sections of algebra.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 309 — Lisa Madigan
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