It is fairly certain that Sophie Masloff never studied the writings of our founding fathers. She was a poor girl, not able to go to college, not steeped in the niceties of the American tradition, but despite this, Sophie in a very real sense, lived up to our founding fathers' standards. She might not have been the incarnation of the person they envisioned as a leader. After all, she was a woman, a Jew, not independently wealthy or with any pedigree or celebrated status, but by her values and by her deeds she would have ultimately won their respect. 
For Sophie was all about the people, all about using her office to help others, to respond to their needs, to make things better. Whatever governmental or non-governmental position she held, she was there ot serve her constituents, never herself. 
It was said by those who knew her that Sophie had three great loves - her family, the Democratic Party and the city of Pittsburgh.