It was a very emotional dinner... Everyone shared personal stories about her and gave her words of encouragement and inspiration. Everyone tried to remain positive.

I think women should always be respected. I'm not going to stand on the corner with a picket sign, but I'm going to support my ladies all the way. But I also understand the views of men as well.

I have low self-esteem and I always have. Guys always cheated on me with women who were European-looking. You know, the long-hair type. Really beautiful women that left me thinking, 'How I can I compete with that?' Being a regular black girl wasn't good enough.

Imagine for a minute yourself in the same shoes, the same sense of survival and the same nothing to lose.

My fan mail is what keeps me going.

In the beginning, yes I did go back... (but) I learned that if it's continued abusive, you just can't stay there. When guys are young, they make mistakes. Nobody's perfect, but, if they do it more than once, then it's definitely a habit

Lil' Kim is my stage name and a character I use when I'm out working my livelihood.