One of my favorites to read about as a young girl was George Washington Carver. He was a slave, had a chaotic early life, educated, educator, scientist. If you don't know much about him, check google.

Here are several quotes from the 'Wisdom of George Washington Carver':

"99% of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.

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"When you do the common things of life in an uncommon way,

you will command the attention of the world.

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"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young;

compassionate with the aged;

sympathetic with the striving;

and tolerant of the weak and strong,

because some day in your life

you will have been all of these."

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