Sheila Johnson

"I was young enough, and I really did believe him because I put him up on a pedestal. I really did. And I thought that everything he said was right, and I had to keep fighting through that. Thats what upset me more than anything,"

"“These doors would open, and I said, ‘Why can’t I go through them?’”. “And I decided I was going to go through every door that came my way.”"

"“Horses are as important to America’s history as any living creature, including man,”"

"“I was always drawn to places that Black people don’t usually go,” the business executive and philanthropist wrote in her memoir, which was released in the fall."

"“I love challenges. I’m a risk-taker,”"

"I tell this to many young girls: do not get involved in a relationship until you know who you are. I didnt know who I was. You know, I was planning my life as I was going along,"

"“Every time I drive to the Virginia hotel, I’m like, ‘I can’t believe I built this.’ I’m very proud of myself, but to see faces of color coming through the door is really terrific. I want to go out of my way to meet as many guests as possible, because I want them to also feel a sense of ownership here.”"

"“I think I was pissed off,” she says, nodding to her years “as the little woman behind the man.” She adds: “There was a lot of me left on the table.”"

"I have the most beautiful farm in the world. I sit on almost 200 acres,” “I can walk the horses around. It’s just the most peaceful place in the world, and I love it.”"

"Im a very powerful entrepreneur."

"“I go to my own house. I live on a 200-acre farm in Middleburg, and it’s the best. I can walk up to three miles and never leave the property. That’s my sanctuary.”"

"Ive been through a lot," . "Its been a tough journey."