Madam C. J. Walker quotes:

I am not ashamed of my past. I am not ashamed of my humble beginning.

Britain has invented a new missile. It's called the civil servant - it doesn't work and it can't be fired.

IT'S PRETTY HARD for the Lord TO GUIDE YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE UP YOUR MIND WHICH WAY TO GO.

I am not merely satisfied in making money for myself, for I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race. ... I want to say to every Negro woman present, don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!

If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.

Perseverance is my motto.

I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.

There would be no hair growing business today had I not started it.

America doesn't respect anything but money. What our people need is a few millionaires.

I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations....I have built my own factory on my own ground.

I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race.

I got my start by giving myself a start.

I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their personal appearance and to give their hair proper attention.

I want you to understand that your first duty is to humanity. I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others.

One night I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it.

You might say that I was the first and caused others to awaken to the sense of their duty in helping deserving causes for the benefit of the race.