“Women have been so oppressed for so long they believe what men have to say about them. They believe

they have to back a man to get the job done. And there are some very good men worth backing, but not

because they’re men — because they’re worthy. As women, we have to start appreciating our own worth and

each other’s worth. Seek out strong women to befriend, to align yourself with, to learn from, to collaborate

with, to be inspired by, to support, and enlightened by. It’s not so much about receiving this award as it is

having this opportunity to stand before you and say thank you. Not only to the people who have loved and

supported me along the way, you have no idea...you have no idea how much your support means. But to

the doubters and naysayers and everyone who gave me hell and said I could not, that I would not or I must

not — your resistance made me stronger, made me push harder, made me the fighter that I am today. It

made me the woman that I am today. So thank you.”