Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund reflects on her work defending the cause of children, her life and leadership, and preparing for countless commencement speeches over the years. Marian Wright Edelman has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. Under her leadership, CDF has become the nation's strongest voice for children and families. The Children's Defense Fund's Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.