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S40E3: Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House | Clip

Lily Tomlin was inspired by Bella Abzug to fight

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In this film outtake, actress Lily Tomlin talks about campaigning for Bella Abzug and how she was inspired to fight for her rights by the politician.

TRANSCRIPT

- I remember campaigning with Bella, and Marlo and I, at one time, we were up in Westchester and we were waiting for Bella to arrive, and there was just a lot of anticipation and all the people were gathered around in the neighborhood, and suddenly, the car pulled up and we said, "She's here, she's here," and she threw that car door open out, she stepped out onto that street, and she just started knocking 'em left and right.

It didn't matter.

Marlo and I were right behind her.

"Oh, Bella's in.

She's so enthused.

She just loves, she's gonna fix the society."

I mean, we were just raving out about Bella, kind of doing a little damage control because she was just so absolutely impelled along by her own energy and her spirit.

She just was gonna get it done.

And that's what was so inspiring about her.

She was just so gruff and ready and willing for the fight and had so much to say.

What I would tell the kids that don't know who Bella is is what an inspiration she was.

How she was totally comforting, totally filled you with the spirit to fight for what you know is right for you and right for all of the people, how strong she was, how much she would battle for any cause that was the right cause and humane and decent.

She didn't have any ridiculous inclinations to get something for herself or some little coterie of people that have special interest.

She was a fighter for the people.

She just believed in a decent world.