Cicely Tyson: In Her Own Words
Cicely Tyson passed away on Thursday (January 28). She leaves behind a legendary acting career in both film, television and on Broadway that spanned seven decades. She was also prolific about how she saw life and lived it.
Below are some of Tyson's most poignant quotes to remember her by.
"The glitter, the ribbons, the garnish I've experienced during my life—as wonderful as those things are, I have little desire to reflect on them solely. What I am far more interested in is the tree that represents my life and strength and condition of its roots." - 2021, from Just As I Am.
“I wait for roles — first, to be written for a woman, then, to be written for a Black woman. Then I have the audacity to be selective about the kinds of roles I play. I’ve really got three strikes against me. So, aren’t you amazed I’m still here?” - 1997 from Entertainment News Service.
"I want to be recalled as one who squared my shoulders in the service of Black women, as one who made us walk taller and envision greater for ourselves.” - 2021 from Just As I Am.
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"The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat." - 2015 speech from Black Girls Rock.
“I think when you begin to think of yourself as having achieved something, then there’s nothing left for you to work towards. I want to believe that there is a mountain so high that I will spend my entire life striving to reach the top of it.” - 2018 on receiving an Honorary Academy Award.
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“I am extremely wealthy. I have life, I have health, I have a warm, wonderful family. I have an incredibly wonderful relationship. Shall I go on? I don’t think you can measure wealth in dollars and cents. I really don’t believe that all because there are some things that money cannot buy. One of them is health. And the other is security in your relationships and friends.” - 1981 from Ebony Magazine.
“Age is a number, okay? We have the greatest gift that we could possibly ever have… And it’s this temple, okay? And if you take care of it, it will serve you well. I’ve never been a person who drank, who smoke, who did drugs. Never. Because I love life.” - 2015 from CBS This Morning interview.
