Booker T. Washington: “You can get dresses and clothes after you have secured your education, but now is the only time that you have in which…”

Even the most ignorant members of my race on the remote plantations felt in their hearts, with a certainty that admitted of no doubt, that the freedom of the slaves would be the one great result of the war, if the Northern armies conquered.

From the time that I can remember anything, almost every day of my life had been occupied in some kind of labour; though I think I would now be a more useful man if I had had time for sports.

When they saw that I was not afraid or ashamed to work, they began to assist with more enthusiasm.

I was supremely happy in the opportunity of being able to assist somebody else.