7 Quotes & Sayings By Alice Childress

Alice Childress (1806-1890) is considered the first African-American to publish a book. Her short story collection, Essays and Sketches, was published in 1829, and later republished as The Colored Ladies Aid Society of the Baptist Church of Georgia (1830). She was born as a slave in Georgia and was educated as a teacher; however, her health prevented her from taking up the profession. Her early education led her to believe that women should have more open access to education and political participation Read more

Childress became a vocal advocate for equal rights for women and for the abolition of slavery.

1
Dear little baby of the folks I work for, I got a present for you . my whole damn life! I'm handin' it over to you & your ma & pa. if you got no money to pay, I wanna stay anyhow, my pleasure is to wait on you forever. to hell with my children & hooray for you! . you stayin' up all night fixin' up Character Parts for me! givin' 'em what you call dignity! dignity! you know what your dignity is? a black straw hat with a flower stickin' up in front, hands folded cross my stomach, sayin' the same damn fool things . only nice & easy & proper! " --trouble in mind (1955) . Alice Childress
2
Truth is simply whatever you can bring yourself to believe. Alice Childress
3
I think women need kindness more than love. When one human being is kind to another it's a very deep matter. Alice Childress
4
Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave-and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way. Alice Childress
5
Like snowflakes the human pattern is never cast twice. We are uncommonly and marvelously intricate in thought and action. Alice Childress
6
"The good old days." The only good days are ahead. Alice Childress