I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

I'm not afraid to die. I'm looking forward to it. I know the Lord has His arms wrapped around this big sparrow.

I could depend a lot on my shaking, though I never shimmied vulgarly and only to express myself.

I never posed as a saint. I would have slept with a man for nothing if I liked him well enough.

I've never been able to feel that there is anything undignified about making your living by the sweat of your brow.

There is a certain type of white Southerner who respects certain Negro individuals.

Asking what I considered an impossible salary when I didn't want to work for someone has boosted my pay again and again.