---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have always drawn strength from my late…"
description: "\"I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion show for African-American audiences more th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg"
---

#  I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life…

![“I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion show for African-American audiences more than 50 years ago, she did so at a time when black Americans, especially black women, were still fighting for a seat at the table - any table.” quote by Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg)

> “I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion show for African-American audiences more than 50 years ago, she did so at a time when black Americans, especially black women, were still fighting for a seat at the table - any table.”

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Pioneering efforts in fashion opened doors for marginalized groups, showing that representation matters.

**In simple terms:** Breaking barriers in fashion created opportunities for black women.

Key Takeaway

Support inclusive platforms.

Themes

representation history social progress

Mood

hopeful critical

Type

historical motivational

When to use this quote

- fashion shows
- community organizing
- mentorship programs
- policy advocacy

Key Concepts

civil rights fashion industry leadership

Questions to Reflect On

- How can modern brands honor past pioneers?
- What steps can individuals take to promote inclusion?

A Different Perspective

Progress can be slow and face backlash.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [Black americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-americans/) [Black women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) [Eunice Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eunice-johnson-5392144/) [Fashion show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion-show/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Eunice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-eunice-5392145/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/)

## Related quotes

> [“Most people write me off when they see me. They do not know my story. They say I am just an African. They judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idowu-koyenikan/most-people-write-me-off-when-they-see-me-they-do-not-know-my-story/)

[idowu koyenikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idowu-koyenikan/)

> [I'm an African woman, I suppose these thoughts torture me more than they do black American people, because it's like watching my own children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kola-boof/i-m-an-african-woman-i-suppose-these-thoughts-torture-me-more-than/)

[Kola Boof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kola-boof/)

> [“Physicians, patients, and ethicists must also understand that acknowledging abuse and encouraging African Americans to participate in research are compatible goals. History and today's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-a-washington/physicians-patients-and-ethicists-must-also-understand-that/)

[Harriet A. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-a-washington/)

> [A very hurting thing for Black Americans - to feel that we can't love our enemies. People forget what a great tradition we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/a-very-hurting-thing-for-black-americans-to-feel-that-we-can-t-love/)

[Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/)

> [The trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans. I say, the trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/the-trip-to-mars-can-only-be-understood-through-black-americans-i-say/)

[Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/)

> [More black women are in the professional-managerial field, and they don't want to look like the guys sitting next to them in pinstriped suits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/more-black-women-are-in-the-professional-managerial-field-and-they/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [I am convinced that the Black man will only reach his full potential when he learns to draw upon the strengths and insights of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manning-marable/i-am-convinced-that-the-black-man-will-only-reach-his-full-potential/)

[Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manning-marable/)

> [My father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/my-father-was-a-slave-and-my-people-died-to-build-this-country-and-i/)

[Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/)

> [Realize that saying all black men are the same is just as ignorant as saying that all black women are the same. Both are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/realize-that-saying-all-black-men-are-the-same-is-just-as-ignorant-as/)

[Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/)

> [Knowing what must be done does away with fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-parks/knowing-what-must-be-done-does-away-with-fear/)

[Rosa Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosa-parks/)

> [My mom is Jamaican and Chinese, and my dad is Polish and African American, so I'm pretty mixed. My nickname in high school was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayesha-curry/my-mom-is-jamaican-and-chinese-and-my-dad-is-polish-and-african/)

[Ayesha Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayesha-curry/)

> [... not all black women have silently acquiesced in sexism and misogyny within the African-American community. Indeed, many writers, activists, and other women have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/not-all-black-women-have-silently-acquiesced-in-sexism-and-misogyny/)

[Kimberle Williams Crenshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/)

> [... black women have always found that in the social order of things we're the least likely to be believed--by anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joycelyn-elders/black-women-have-always-found-that-in-the-social-order-of-things-we/)

[Joycelyn Elders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joycelyn-elders/)

> [There's a category for me. I like to be referred to as a good singer of good songs in good taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vaughan/there-s-a-category-for-me-i-like-to-be-referred-to-as-a-good-singer/)

[Sarah Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vaughan/)

> [We are going to do extensive market research because it is hard for black women to go into stores and get clothes that fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/we-are-going-to-do-extensive-market-research-because-it-is-hard-for/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

## More by Linda Johnson Rice

> [We're expanding 'Ebony' and 'Jet' on the digital side to attract and maintain a younger audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/we-re-expanding-ebony-and-jet-on-the-digital-side-to-attract-and/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [I think I'm curious by nature because I always want to learn, and I think you can learn from so many things around you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-think-i-m-curious-by-nature-because-i-always-want-to-learn-and-i/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [We're in the media business. We're in the beauty business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/we-re-in-the-media-business-we-re-in-the-beauty-business/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [You have to stay current to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/you-have-to-stay-current-to-compete/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [I think somebody's got to be cutting-edge. It just depends how you want to market your magazines and how big you want them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-think-somebody-s-got-to-be-cutting-edge-it-just-depends-how-you/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [Yves Saint Laurent has a special place in my heart because he was my mother's favorite designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/yves-saint-laurent-has-a-special-place-in-my-heart-because-he-was-my/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> ['Ebony' is an integral part of my life, and I think it's very exciting to be able to help to move the brand forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/ebony-is-an-integral-part-of-my-life-and-i-think-it-s-very-exciting/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [We have signed an exclusive licensing agreement with a company called TurnerPatterson, another African-American company, and what I thought would be a great vehicle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/we-have-signed-an-exclusive-licensing-agreement-with-a-company-called/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [My father's legacy is bigger than a building. It really is a tremendous business that he's built.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/my-father-s-legacy-is-bigger-than-a-building-it-really-is-a/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [I am struck by the memories of all of the fantastic Links ladies who worked so hard to host the Ebony Fashion Fair shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-am-struck-by-the-memories-of-all-of-the-fantastic-links-ladies-who/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> ['Ebony' is very inspirational and aspirational to its readers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/ebony-is-very-inspirational-and-aspirational-to-its-readers/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [Along with my father, Mandela is my hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/along-with-my-father-mandela-is-my-hero/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [It is a sign of my mother's determination, confidence, and creativity that more than 50 years after launching the renowned Ebony Fashion Fair show,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/it-is-a-sign-of-my-mother-s-determination-confidence-and-creativity/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [I went to USC in L.A. Part of me is a real West Coast kid. My parents had a house in Palm Springs, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-went-to-usc-in-l-a-part-of-me-is-a-real-west-coast-kid-my-parents/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

> [We've been here so long. The history and richness runs so deep within the community. We own this. It's personal. It's very personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/we-ve-been-here-so-long-the-history-and-richness-runs-so-deep-within/)

[Linda Johnson Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

[Explore all 59 Linda Johnson Rice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/)

## More African american quotes

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/)

[Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/)

> [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/)

[Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/)

> [“This popularity extended to Trump himself, who, according to private demographic research conducted at the time, was even more popular with African American and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/this-popularity-extended-to-trump-himself-who-according-to-private/)

[Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/)

> [American civil rights leader, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/)

[Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/)

> [Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/some-republicans-gave-up-on-winning-the-african-american-vote-looking/)

[Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/)

> [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&amp;B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/)

[Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/)

> [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/)

[Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/)

> [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/)

[Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/)

> [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/)

[Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/)

> [I think it's easier for African American and white comics to be praised than it is Latinos because they think our culture or our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lopez/i-think-it-s-easier-for-african-american-and-white-comics-to-be/)

[George Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lopez/)

> [“Alabama in 1927 alone, 27,701 men were arrested on misdemeanor charges and offered for sale by county sheriffs. In Blackmon’s estimation, “roughly half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-haney-l-pez/alabama-in-1927-alone-27-701-men-were-arrested-on-misdemeanor-charges/)

[Ian Haney López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-haney-l-pez/)

> [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/)

[Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/)

[Browse all 1,848 African american quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion show for African-American audiences more than 50 years ago, she did so at a time when black Americans, especially black women, were still fighting for a seat at the table - any table.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Linda Johnson Rice"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-late-mother-s-life-when-eunice/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "African american"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-late-mother-s-life-when-eunice/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/linda-johnson-rice-11549_black-women_i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-lat_1479990.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion…” — Linda Johnson Rice",
                "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": "Linda Johnson Rice",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-johnson-rice/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I have always drawn strength from...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-late-mother-s-life-when-eunice/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-johnson-rice/i-have-always-drawn-strength-from-my-late-mother-s-life-when-eunice/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
