Barometer Quote by Ella Baker
“I had known, number one, that there would never be any role for me in the leadership capacity with SCLC. Why? First, I'm a woman. Also, I'm not a minister. And second, I am a person that feels that I have to maintain some degree of personal integrity and be my own barometer of what is important and what is not.”
About This Quote
Source Historical: Civil Rights Movement, 1960s, speeches and interviews
She rejected leadership roles due to gender, religious status, and personal integrity, emphasizing authentic self‑valuation over imposed titles.
In simple terms: She chose integrity over seeking leadership positions.
Key Takeaway
Value personal integrity above external titles.
Themes
gender bias
integrity
leadership
civil rights
self‑respect
Mood
determined
inspirational
Type
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- activism
- career advancement
- organizational politics
- community organizing
Key Concepts
intersectionality
ethical leadership
personal agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define leadership for yourself?
- What values guide your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Leadership can also be exercised without formal titles.
![“I didn't have any close relationship with him because, although [William Edward Burghardt] DuBois may not have been as egocentric - I don't know - he certainly was not the easiest person to approach. I think, certainly, those of us who were younger sort of respected that in terms of his…” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/926/ella-baker-10989_approach_i-didn-t-have-any-close-relationship-wit_697287.jpg)
![“[Walter White] was also one of the best lobbyist of the period.” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/900/ella-baker-10989_lobbyist_walter-white-was-also-one-of-the-best-lo_712092.jpg)
