--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My first job was with Ethel Waters." description: "\"My first job was with Ethel Waters.\" — Leslie Uggams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg" --- # My first job was with Ethel Waters. ![“My first job was with Ethel Waters.” quote by Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg) > “My first job was with Ethel Waters.” [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on an early career experience working alongside a notable figure, highlighting personal history and mentorship. **In simple terms:** She worked early with a famous singer. Key Takeaway Recognize early influences in your career. Themes career history mentorship Mood nostalgic reflective Type personal historical When to use this quote - early job - industry networking - learning from veterans Key Concepts entertainment legacy networking Questions to Reflect On - How did that role shape your path? - What lessons did you gain from that mentor? A Different Perspective Early experiences may be romanticized, overlooking challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ethel Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethel-waters-5865579/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [First job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-job/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waters/) ## Related quotes > [I am her friend, and her tongue is in my mouth. I can speak her sentiments for her, though Ethel Waters can do very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/i-am-her-friend-and-her-tongue-is-in-my-mouth-i-can-speak-her/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [My first job paid well for a young attorney. I was making over $50,000, which was more than either of my parents had ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/my-first-job-paid-well-for-a-young-attorney-i-was-making-over-50-000/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [My first job was a film called 'Storm Damage' for the BBC. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/my-first-job-was-a-film-called-storm-damage-for-the-bbc-i-was-16-and/) [Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/) > [My first job was scooping ice cream at Friendly's in Albany, New York. I hated the work, most of my colleagues, and the uniform,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/my-first-job-was-scooping-ice-cream-at-friendly-s-in-albany-new-york/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [My first job was in a nursing home - a terrible place in retrospect. It was in an old house, and the residents were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/my-first-job-was-in-a-nursing-home-a-terrible-place-in-retrospect-it/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [My first job was at a Burger King.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chamath-palihapitiya/my-first-job-was-at-a-burger-king/) [Chamath Palihapitiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chamath-palihapitiya/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [My first job was at Alfreton Town and the chairman backed the club. He wanted to win so it made the job easier. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-wilder/my-first-job-was-at-alfreton-town-and-the-chairman-backed-the-club-he/) [Chris Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-wilder/) > [I was a lifeguard for three years, when I was around 16-years-old. So for my first job, that was awesome, working on the beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryse-mizanin/i-was-a-lifeguard-for-three-years-when-i-was-around-16-years-old-so/) [Maryse Mizanin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryse-mizanin/) > [My favorite country blues player was Big Bill Broonzy. City blues was Freddie King, but I liked them all - Muddy Waters, John Lee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/my-favorite-country-blues-player-was-big-bill-broonzy-city-blues-was/) [Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/) > [“Calm your waters,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/calm-your-waters/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Poverty and backwardness in the midst of clear waters and verdant mountains is no good, nor is it to have prosperity and wealth while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/poverty-and-backwardness-in-the-midst-of-clear-waters-and-verdant/) [Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/) > [Socialised humanity represses nature and degrades human nature; it takes life and waters it down - probably to control it - diluting existence with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-leunig/socialised-humanity-represses-nature-and-degrades-human-nature-it/) [Michael Leunig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-leunig/) > [“They throw themselves on the waters of the world, and they know they will be borne up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-smiley/they-throw-themselves-on-the-waters-of-the-world-and-they-know-they/) [Jane Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-smiley/) ## More by Leslie Uggams > [I'm all over YouTube.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-m-all-over-youtube/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [My career has been a series of breaking through barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-career-has-been-a-series-of-breaking-through-barriers/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I was supposedly named after the Bette Davis character in 'The Letter' by my sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-was-supposedly-named-after-the-bette-davis-character-in-the-letter/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Anything can happen in theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/anything-can-happen-in-theater/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I just love 'Happy.' I have a little grand baby who loves that song. We'll play it and dance around. Pharrell's conveyed a feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-just-love-happy-i-have-a-little-grand-baby-who-loves-that-song-we/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first inspiration. She performed on Broadway, and when I was 10 years old, I saw her in 'Porgy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-aunt-eloise-uggams-was-my-first-inspiration-she-performed-on/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Oh, I love Lady Gaga - I think she's so fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/oh-i-love-lady-gaga-i-think-she-s-so-fascinating/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Blues and jazz is our American music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/blues-and-jazz-is-our-american-music/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [It's kind of nice to be acknowledged, and that people think enough of you that they want to give you something. So I appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/it-s-kind-of-nice-to-be-acknowledged-and-that-people-think-enough-of/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I do so many things it has a tendency to confuse people. They didn't know where to put me. So they put me nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-do-so-many-things-it-has-a-tendency-to-confuse-people-they-didn-t/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Black theaters are not given nearly enough attention. We need these theaters to be aware of each other, to help each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/black-theaters-are-not-given-nearly-enough-attention-we-need-these/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and a change of scenery can be very refreshing and just the lift you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/fresh-air-sunshine-exercise-and-a-change-of-scenery-can-be-very/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I respect the gift I was given so I take care of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-respect-the-gift-i-was-given-so-i-take-care-of-it/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Since I turned 18, I have never missed a vote for president. If you don't vote, you don't get the right to complain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/since-i-turned-18-i-have-never-missed-a-vote-for-president-if-you-don/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [We need more Black artists writing, performing, directing, and producing Black stories on the main stage - and not just in February!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/we-need-more-black-artists-writing-performing-directing-and-producing/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) [Explore all 99 Leslie Uggams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) ## More First quotes > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [I watched the movie 'What We Do in the Shadows' in a packed theater when it first came out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-dacosta/i-watched-the-movie-what-we-do-in-the-shadows-in-a-packed-theater/) [Nia DaCosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-dacosta/) > [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Our fashion for us, it's an expression; first of all of life, I put all of myself in my fashion. Sometimes it's good, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefano-gabbana/our-fashion-for-us-it-s-an-expression-first-of-all-of-life-i-put-all/) [Stefano Gabbana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefano-gabbana/) > [When I first started making music, it was learning other people's songs and putting them onto four-track. Like Beatles songs and stuff. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/when-i-first-started-making-music-it-was-learning-other-people-s/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [Oh, I'm a great believer in the power of the pause. Radio is a bit brasher now. My style was slower. I just used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/oh-i-m-a-great-believer-in-the-power-of-the-pause-radio-is-a-bit/) [Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/) > [My first company, Pure Software, was exciting and innovative in the first few years and bureaucratic and painful in the last few before it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/my-first-company-pure-software-was-exciting-and-innovative-in-the/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. She would cut the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-have-to-say-i-grew-up-with-fashion-because-my-mother-was-a/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [We do need different types of propulsion to get to Mars. I wrote one of the first Ph.D. theses on that in the 1960s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-do-need-different-types-of-propulsion-to-get-to-mars-i-wrote-one/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [I try to have something in common with my protagonists, especially when I'm writing in the first person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-giffin/i-try-to-have-something-in-common-with-my-protagonists-especially/) [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) > [The first draft is usually junk. 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I was about 12 when I won my first boxing match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-parker/i-first-got-into-boxing-when-i-was-quite-young-i-was-about-12-when-i/) [Joseph Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-parker/) [Browse all 9,159 First quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My first job was with Ethel Waters.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leslie Uggams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "First" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1de/leslie-uggams-6290_first_my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters-16173_1617357.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My first job was with Ethel Waters.” — Leslie Uggams", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Leslie Uggams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My first job was with Ethel...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-first-job-was-with-ethel-waters/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```