She helped to establish the National Right to Life Committee and served three times as its president.

a Guinean princess who was kidnapped by Spanish sailors and sold into slavery.

"Besides some of the traditional dishes, also some of the influences from other cultures that are in our area, like this show

we did South America, we did Greek, we did Vietnamese, food we find all around our area from the different cultures."

"The one thing that really helped me during that process -- I'm Catholic, I grew up Catholic, my kids are Catholic..."

"People often tell me I was lucky. No, I was blessed. I don't like that word 'lucky' ... I believe in a plan, and I believe it was

there for me,"

I went to an African American Catholic school in the South, so all of my peers, my friends, the other students with me, were African American as well.

"Another thing that I enjoy about the Basilica is that you get to see so many people from different walks of life. Old, young,

rich, poor; It doesn't matter who you are."

"I ask Jesus to take that [aching] as a prayer," she says.

"And my work becomes my prayer."

"It's an honor and a privilege to serve as our country's 28th Secretary of Defense, And I'm especially proud to be the first

African American to hold the position."

She authored a booklet on "Combating Racism" for the Archdiocese of Washington

She was known for her charity towards children and the poor, her indomitable spirit during the hardship of slavery, and

her joy in religious life.

"Science has made my faith stronger," she said. "The DNA structure is amazing. It is beautiful and is evidence of what God

can do and has done. Look around you, it is just wonderful!"

"No race is better than another, all are brothers and sisters before Jesus!"

He would go to Our Mother of Mercy and serve the church. Light candles. Carry incense. Hold books. Whatever the

priest needed during Mass, he would do.

"My music is my connection with God. It's something I'm giving to Him,"