If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.

I am not ashamed of my past. I am not ashamed of my humble beginning.

I got my start by giving myself a start.

I am not merely satisfied in making money for myself, for I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race. ... I want to say to every Negro woman present, don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!

I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their personal appearance and to give their hair proper attention.

You might say that I was the first and caused others to awaken to the sense of their duty in helping deserving causes for the benefit of the race.

One night I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it.