Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood. She wanted to save me from the vice, lust, and drinking that was all about me. – Ethel Waters
I wanted to be with the kind of people Id grown up with, but you cant go back to them and be one of them again, no matter how hard you try. – Ethel Waters
Though I was excited about the Sojourner Truth play, it was not reassuring to think that my entire future might depend on the success of that one show. – Ethel Waters
Mom never quit on me. My only regret is that she didnt live long enough to share some of the money and comforts my work in show business has brought me. – Ethel Waters