I hope that in some way that I can be some sort of beacon of hope, especially because I am not the typical Hollywood beauty.

It's very seldom that we see the good of the South. There is a perception that Southerners are racists and everyone else in the nation is 'enlightened.' There is racism everywhere, and there is good everywhere.

You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow.

Any upward movement is movement for us all.

As we women know, there are so many other hurdles that we have to cross that I would love it if we could stop having the race conversation so that we can get women further on. You know, a female president now that we have an African American president. Maybe we can get an Asian female, a gay person?

I have experienced loss in my life, but the thing that brings you back is your faith.

I really believe things happen as they're supposed to and in the time that they're supposed to.