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 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

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.

What's the possibility of the ability of doing nothing?

If Americans could legally access prescription drugs outside the United States, then drug companies would be forced to re-evaluate their pricing strategy.

Got everything I'm asking for but you.

Hitler built a fortress around Europe, but he forgot to put a roof on it.

I have always abhorred the word racism. I never use it.

Science fiction invites the writer to grandly explore alternative worlds and pose questions about meaning and destiny.

This New York thing is being blown out of proportion. Who gives a **** about New York when elephants are being killed?

Follow your passion. Do what you love, and the money will follow. Most people don't believe it, but it's true.

Of all the reasons for wanting to write, the only one that nurtures us through time is love of the work itself.

New ways of seeing can disclose new things… But turn the question around. Do new things make for new ways of seeing?