Quotes on African American Women

I am a feminist, and what that means to me is much the same as the meaning of the fact that I am Black: it means that I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self-love and self-respect.

Each person must live their life as a model for others.

Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.

Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations.

I do not weep at the world I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.

I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all.

Give light, and people will find the way...

Knowing what must be done does away with fear.

I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person.

You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.

Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.

Hate is too great a burden to bear.

I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We, the people.'

The potential for greatness lives within us all.

In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

I think the bottom of the totem pole is African-American women, or women of colour. I think they get the least opportunities in Hollywood.

You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.

I know why the caged bird sings.

I used to want the words 'She tried' on my tombstone. Now I want 'She did it.'

Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.