I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

There was one emotional outlet my people always had when they had the blues. That was singing.

Twenty-five years is a long time for a girl to live out of a trunk, and after looking over a few houses, I fell in love with one in Southwest Los Angeles.

It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays.

Mom never quit on me. My only regret is that she didn't live long enough to share some of the money and comforts my work in show business has brought me.

I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

If I wanted pity, I got it because I'm illegitimate. And when I didn't want it I was mean and nasty.