Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, fellow members of the motion picture industry and honored guests. This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.

It sure looks good to see an honest-to-goodness audience after looking at you all for so long from the silver screen

I'd rather play a maid than be one.

My desire for the part of Mammy was not dominated by selfishness for Hollywood has been good to me and I am grateful

As for those grapefruit and buttermilk diets, I'll take roast chicken and dumplings.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, fellow members of the motion picture industry and honored guests. This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.

Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I'd be making $7 a week being one.