I did what my conscience told me to do, and you can't fail if you do that.

You can't always expect a certain result, but you can expect to do your best.

We've got to understand that all disenfranchised people have something in common...The pursuit of justice really is about equality for everyone.

calls for equal treatment are often seen as calls for 'special treatment' in situations where discrimination has become the norm.

Testifying has helped me understand that one individual's behavior and actions make a difference. That my actions are important to people other than myself

My parents are older, and they lead a somewhat sheltered life. It was difficult to talk with them about things that were embarrassing to me, and that I had never spoken to them about

I'm not sure I can say there is a clean line between me as an individual and me as a lawyer.

I think, though, as African-American women, we are always trained to value our community even at the expense of ourselves, and so we attempt to protect the African-American community.

I am hopeful that others who have suffered sexual harassment will not become discouraged by my experience, but instead will find the strength to speak out about this serious problem.

But the issue of sexual harassment is not the end of it. There are other issues - political issues, gender issues - that people need to be educated about.

If I can mean to people - if I can symbolize the ability to pursue gender equality, racial equality, and to be truthful about our experiences, then, absolutely, that's what I want to be.

Yes, I am confusing literature with life. I'm declaring my own ordinary life to be a work of literature.

With no action to nourish it, your dream becomes a fantasy.

We humans speak many languages

A tree can be tempted out of its winter dormancy by a few hours of southerly sun—the readiness to believe in spring is stronger than sleep or sanity.

It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.

I can't save them by myself, oh but God forbid that I just turn my head and walk on by. Don't let me be a stranger to those less fortunate than I.

America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shinning sea!

People think that I'm haughty and stuck up, but really I'm just very shy.

Study depends on the goodwill of the student, a quality that cannot be secured by compulsion.

Being loved by all is little fun Unless you're also loved by one.