Just as I Am

"In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only succeeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history." -President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony "Just as I Am is my truth. It is me,plain and unvarnished, with the glitterand garland set aside. In thesepages, I am indeed Cicely, the actresswho has been blessed to grace thestage and screen for six decades. YetI am also the church girl who oncerarely spoke a word. I am the teenagerwho sought solace in the versesof the old hymn for which this bookis named. I am a daughter and amother, a sister and a friend. I am anobserver of human nature and thedreamer of audacious dreams. I ama woman who has hurt as immeasurablyas I have loved, a child of Goddivinely guided by his hand. Andhere in my ninth decade, I am awoman who, at long last, has somethingmeaningful to say."-Cicely Tyson