I have noticed... that men usually leave married women alone and are inclined to treat all wives with respect. This is no great credit to married women.

My mother inspired me to treat others as I would want to be treated regardless of age race or financial status.

I'm never overawed by a situation and I think that's because I've always looked several years older than I am. So because people were treating me like I was 40 when I was 29 I've always felt in control of a situation. People used to say when you're 32 you'll look 32. I'm still waiting for that moment where my age catches up with my appearance.

Most poetry in the modern age has retreated to the private sphere turning its back on the political realm.

I was taught from a young age that many people would treat me as a second-class citizen because I was African-American and because I was female.

We of Africa protest that in this day and age we should continue to be treated as lesser human beings than other races.

I have always felt that a woman has the right to treat the subject of her age with ambiguity until perhaps she passes into the realm of over ninety. Then it is better she be candid with herself and with the world.