I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day, but I don't think there is anything such as complete happiness. It pains me that there is still a lot of Klan activity and racism. I think when you say you're happy, you have everything that you need and everything that you want, and nothing more to wish for. I haven't reached that stage yet.

I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day.

When I see the leadership roles black women are taking today I am very encouraged.

I will always work for human rights for all people.

My resisting being mistreated on the bus did not begin with that particular arrest…I did a lot of walking in Montgomery.

People have said over the years that the reason I did not give up my seat was because I was tired. I did not think of being physically tired. My feet were not hurting. I was tired in a different way. I was tired of seeing so many men treated as boys and not called by their proper names or titles. I was tired of seeing children and women mistreated and disrespected because of the color of their skin. I was tired of Jim Crow laws, of legally enforced racial segregation.

I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.