Dorothy Height

I think of my life as a unity of circles. Some are concentric, others overlap, but they all connect in some way. Sometimes the connections don't happen for years. But when they do, I marvel. As in a shimmering kaleidoscope, familiar patterns keep unfolding

Progress comes from caring more about what needs to be done than about who gets the credit

We had people of all backgrounds coming together - all races, all creeds, all colors, all status in life. And coming together there was a kind of quiet dignity and a kind of sense of caring and a feeling of joint responsibility.

There is no contradiction between effective law enforcement and respect for civil and human rights.

The Black family of the future will foster our liberation, enhance our self-esteem, and shape our ideas and goals.

My mother helped me understand how not to show off what I knew, but how to use it so that others might benefit.

We have to improve life, not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system. But also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity.

I am the product of many whose lives have touched mine, from the famous, distinguished, and powerful to the little known and the poor.

We are not a problem people, we are people with problems.

We've got to work to save our children and do it with full respect for the fact that if we do not, no one else is going to do it.

No one will do for you what you need to do for yourself. We cannot afford to be separate. We have to see that all of us are in the same boat.