During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.

My singing is part of me, like my stoutness, or my light hair, or my poor eyesight.

I could see myself in a white nurse's uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.

after several months of probation work, standing on my feet some ten to twelve hours a day, I decided that as a nurse I was a pretty good entertainer.

As soon as I began to earn what might be called fairly large sums, I bought a car and began to explore the country around New York.

And when all is said and done, there is no greater success in the world than just being happy.

Ice cream was my undoing, and six chocolate milk shakes in a row were nothing to me at one time.