I posed nude to show my parents they couldn't dictate to me any more - that I control my life.

I think women need to have a lobby. I feel that women need to speak out. The first time a man hits you is one too many times and you need to do something about it. That something about it is walking out that door and seeking for help and never looking back.

I can't say it's not painful being estranged from most of my family. I wish it could be otherwise.

It was so strange. I knew that Josephine Baker had performed on the same stage but that night I felt it. Many of the same people who worked with Josephine Baker are still here. They know what they're doing. And that was a very comfortable feeling.

I realize now I didn't really want to die. I just wanted to stop the hurt and pain.

Growth is what we all need and what we all strive for because we want to get better and better and better each day.

I'm urging all women, I ask them the first time men hit you, please walk away. There is help out there. There are a lot of places that you can go and get help. That's the first step to your freedom and to your life is to walk away.