“If I can sit down for freedom, you can stand up for children.”

That was a difference between black slaves and white indentured servants. Black slaves were usually not allowed to keep their names, but were given new names by their owners.

It takes more than one person to bring about peace – it takes all of us.

God has always given me the strength to say what is right.

I talked and talked of everything I know about the white man’s inhuman treatment of the Negro.

I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.

I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free, so other people would be also free.

You cannot always control the powers-that-be. You just have to have faith and stand by the things you believe in.

One person can change the world.

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

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

My only concern was to get home after a hard day’s work.

I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.

Many whites, even white Southerners told me that even though it may have seemed like the blacks were being freed (by my actions) they felt more free and at ease themselves. They thought that my action didn’t just free blacks but them, too.

There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take. The line between reason and madness grows thinner.

I will always work for human rights for all people.

Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.

The important thing is to teach a child that good can always triumph over evil.

Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.

As a child I would just question things.

Give us strength, oh Lord, to let our children starve.

The mother is the first teacher of the child. The message she gives that child, that child gives to the world.

My mother loved children – she would have given anything if I had been one.

Nothing more beautiful than taking a nap with my children.

A child is a curly, dimpled lunatic.