I also find it interesting that a lot of people in their 30s are not married and don't have kids. There are a lot of people in this age bracket that are out there dating and trying to find love. And I never thought that at my age I would be.

I was apprehensive. I feared every time I talked about poetry it would be filtered through the lens of race sex and age.

I was drafted into the Army when I was 19 and came out at age 22. Most people that I knew didn't think they'd come home alive. I didn't think I would either so I was happy when I did.

My parents were really really cool about supporting what I wanted to do at a really young age. I think I was about 10 when I caught the bug. They would drive me down to New York if there were auditions. When I was 12 I did this show on Broadway called 'High Society ' so we moved to New York for the run of that.

Women would be disproportionately affected by the privatization of social security. It is one of the most important safety nets for American women in old age or in times of disability to insure financial income for their families.

I've always been intrigued by color and by interesting hair. I was one of those weird little girls doing my own hair at the age of 9. I was like getting weird gels and new brushes and cornrow holders. I would tweak and perm at the age of 13.

My mother inspired me to treat others as I would want to be treated regardless of age race or financial status.

I've watched my peers get better with age and hoped that would happen with me.

Despite what anti-aging ads say growing older can be better. I feel better in my skin 100 percent. You have greater effects of gravity but the better sense of yourself you have is something I wouldn't trade. Women who lie about their age - 'why?'

Well once you've resigned yourself to the fact that you are the more mature pop performer and you're past the age you ever thought you would do it you might as well do it as long as you can. As long as I can still lift a microphone then I'll do it you know.