21 Quotes by Gertrude Beasley

I didn't miss a day in Texas that I didn't ask for guidance and strength; and this fervently and in secret. That last year I had been a praying gun-toter, who had sworn to shoot to kill; and how I dwelt on the words courage and strength; one needed physical strength for gun-playing and sticks. Now I was a praying atheist.

I sank down every night on my knees at my bed and prayed, it seemed to me, as I had never prayed before. I don't remember what I said, but I think I was asking for strength, strength, and more strength. As far as I recall, I went on talking atheism to the girls and continued prayers while locked in my room.

It seemed to me that a degree from Simmons College was the most important thing in my life. Then I could go on. There was no end to my wants.

Mr. Wagstaff, the leading lawyer in Abilene, [...] believed generally speaking that women were no good at law, but he thought I had a lip firm enough, and a jaw steady enough to do it.

It amused me tremendously; big husky men sat on the edge of their chairs and appeared nervous when discussing school affairs with her. It was high time the tables were turned; we had had enough of men's superior leadership.

I guess I'll have a baby when Jack gets ready for me to,' she informed me as though to scorn my idea that women should determine when and under what conditions they would bear children.

She always had meant to leave. She hadn’t done it because she thought it was such a disgrace; she had no place to take her children, and she was afraid he would kill her as he threatened. Twenty-five years of married criminality, official monogamous prostitution, between a “damn fool woman” and the “sorriest man that God ever let live” ended. [The divorce lawyer] had released her from her demon.

My mother would quote the Bible in defense of her [seeking a divorce], letting her eyes show that there was something far worse than she had ever told in connection with my father, saying, “He that provideth not for his own household is worse than an infidel,” … “It says worse than an infidel.

After several months of urging and suggestions that I should become a Christian, with shock after shock of embarrassment or fear or shame or something, as keen as though one had cut my flesh and pricked at a nerve, I decided upon an incident which I called my conversion.