When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. – Harriet Tubman, on her first escape from slavery, 1845

No race can prosper till it learns there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. – Booker T. Washington

I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than to die like a dog or rat in a trap. I had already determined to sell my life as dearly as possible if attacked. I felt if I could take one lyncher with me, this would even up the score a little bit. – Ida B. Wells