I was trying to uphold what I thought feminism was as best I could by supporting women, by trying to create an opportunity to get women to get together, play music together and celebrate the fact that we are having great success making music on our own and together.

We showed the industry that female artists could attract the same audiences as the big male stars.

For me, that's one of the best validations as an artist. To have a stranger come up to you and say that something you've created and put out there in the world has had some sort of impact on other people's lives.

I was very awkward as a kid. I was a square trying to fit into a circle and it never worked for me. The harder I tried, the harder I fell. For some reason I was a real target and I got beat up and called names.

But my happiness in this world - my level of peace - is never going to be dictated by acting.

Behind every crucifix stands our risen Lord. Hidden in every suffering and pain is the joy of closer union with him. His is the victory. He invites us to share it.

Happiness lies so far from man, but he must begin by daring to will it.

Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.