I found out along the way that they like you a little imperfect.

You wouldn't be allowed to get on a particular bus, but you'd be asked to sign your autograph.

Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's positive and that it is not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness for the negatives and that it is not better.

I don't have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I'd become. I'm me, and I'm like nobody else.

Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted.