If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.

I thank God that I've lived long enough to see what I have seen, and I pray that people will continue to do better. We are doing better, it may not seem so, but there was a time when people were lynched in the middle of the street and it was not against the law. We are doing better, but we have so much more to do.

I am a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman that is your grandmother, that is your mother, that is your sister, that is you and that is me.

Every day I awaken I am grateful. My intent is to be totally present in that day. And laugh as much as possible.

Tell the truth and not the facts.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues, without it, you can practice no other.

You can't forgive without loving. And I don't mean sentimentality. I don't mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, 'I forgive. I'm finished with it.'