Diahann Carroll Quotations

I am a breast cancer survivor. I was intrigued to learn how many people prefer to talk to someone if they are familiar with their face, like an actor or a politician. So, I began traveling around the country and doing speeches.

In the war against breast cancer, we have the ability to arm ourselves with knowledge and education is a powerful tool. By taking action and doing something positive, fear is replaced with hope.

In the beginning, I found myself dealing with a show business dictated by male white supremacists and chauvinists. As a black female, I had to learn how to tap dance around the situation. I had to ... find a way to present my point of view without being pushy or aggressive. In the old days, the only women I saw in this business were in makeup, hairdressing, and wardrobe departments. Now I'm surrounded by women executives, writers, directors, producers, and even women stagehands.

I considered Nat King Cole to be a friend and, in many ways, a mentor. He always had words of profound advice.

I think if you work in television everyday, and you must be privy to everything happening in television, then do so.

I hope that there are no persons that would want to think ill of me in any direction or any behavior.

I have a line of clothing at J.C. Penney's... and I'm lucky to be affiliated.

I've spent about that amount of time trying to tell the public that there was purpose in... my business, my career and the roller coaster ride... how the people I associated with worked together.

With any president it is difficult to predict how the world will be effected by his presence in the white house.

I like to think I opened doors for other women, although that wasn't my original intention.

You have to keep your sanity as well as know how to distance yourself from it while still holding onto the reins tightly. That is a very difficult thing to do, but I'm learning.

If you're not invited to the party, throw your own.

There are many different impressions about a woman of my color and my background who began in the fifties, and how she developed.

I have a line of clothing at J.C. Penney's... and I'm lucky to be affiliated.

I'm not a fighter. I usually smile and then go into my room and cry my eyes out.