In my years as your president, I have continually spoken out not just for better contracts, for more jobs, for all the important economic issues which confront us, I have also consistently said that we must fight for more quality in our work and thus in our lives. I am convinced that the issues are inseparable - we will not get more jobs until we get better programming. It is our responsibility to integrate the economic and the social issues that affect us, if we hope to be integrated creative artists able to bring inspiration and joy to others through our work. [parting words after her terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild]

When I was six years old, I negotiated a raise for myself with the captain of the showboat because I was making 50 cents and everybody else was earning $2.50 a night and I didn't think that was right. So I went to him on my own and I not only ended up with my raise but everybody went up to $3.00. I guess that was my first negotiation.