One of the things that has always motivated me to write is the desire to get it out and look at it in an objective way, so that it doesn't cause me any serious pain by staying inside.

I grew up not understanding what was true and what was not true. It gave me a sense of unreality. I was told that this man [mom's lover] was not my mother's lover - when he was. I was told he was there as a male babysitter for my brother so that he would learn sports and other manly things.

I always sang standards because the songs I wrote for myself weren't as easy to sing.

Then I went through a big Peggy Lee stage, then I became Annie Ross, then Judy Collins.

The advancements that women have made are very threatening to men in the job place. There haven't been that many women in politics. If you look at the conventions, it's kind of pathetic how many men are the heads of companies. On the other hand, I'm not sure what the reality should be.

I've always thought of myself as being a warrior. When you actually have a battle, it's better than when you don't know who to fight.

You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers, I've got loving eyes of my own.