Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years

Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet. Sarah L. (Sadie) Delany

Anyway, they went and built this silly housing project, with us living right across the street from it. Some of the children from the housing project got into trouble. You can't just take people who don't have anything, don't know what they're doing, pack them in a bunch of buildings, and expect it's going to all work out somehow. - Sadie

When people ask me how we've lived past one hundred, I say, 'Honey, we never married. We never had husbands to worry us to death! A. Elizabeth (Bessie) Delany

When you're in a train and it breaks down, well, there you is. But when you're in a plane and it breaks down, there you AIN'T.

All I ever wanted in my life was to be treated as an individual. I have succeeded, to some extent. At least I'm sure that in the Lord's eyes, I am an individual. I am not a "colored" person, or a "Negro" person, in God's eyes. I am just me! The Lord won't hold it against me that I'm colored because He made me that way! He thinks I am beautiful! And so do I, even with all my wrinkles! I am beautiful! -Bessie