I had a chance to meet Janet Reno twice.
She was kind and gracious. We talked about Florida's environment--an issue near and dear to both our hearts--as well as our favorite natural springs in Florida. Of all the public figures I've had a chance to have a substantive conversation with, she was probably the most famous. It was a huge thrill.
There were two figures in politics who had the uncanny ability to remain completely honest to the truth without any spin, even if the truth revealed they had made a mistake. One is Jimmy Carter. The other was Janet Reno. Don't get me wrong--there are other figures in politics who I have immense respect for. But the ability to remain completely honest without having to manage the truth was pretty much unique to those two.
But the mistakes didn't shape Janet Reno's legacy. Her successes did. As Miami states attorney, she developed a progressive, compassionate and forward thinking drug court system that was copied nationwide. And being named the first ever female US Attorney General, and the longest serving attorney general, is something that will cement her legacy forever.
As we stand prepared to celebrate the breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling in politics in less than two days, let's not forget the pioneers and forerunners of those who helped move us closer to that moment. Janet Reno was no doubt one of those pioneers and heroes.