Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919) was “the first Black woman millionaire in America” and made her fortune thanks to her homemade line of hair care products for Black women. Born Sarah Breedlove to parents who had been enslaved, she was inspired to create her hair products after an experience with hair loss, which led to the creation of the “Walker system” of hair care.

Thomas Edison, dubbed the “Wizard of Menlo Park,” was one of the greatest inventors the world has known. His nearly 1,100 patents exceed that of any other inventor in American history, and his inventions were foundational across a bewildering array of domains, from electronics to medicine to chemical research.

“Chess is everything: art, science, and sport.”

“The Smithsonian museums are among this country's most endearing treasures and I look forward to helping maintain and enhance their coveted works of art.”

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”

“Well, you can't know it without something having been sneezed.”

Champion racecar driver Mario Andretti: “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.

Look into the heavens and say, “It’s my turn to make history.