India, Oct. 21 -- You've dedicated This American Woman to American women who "showed" you your voice. However, it can be argued that you were quite vocal before you were "found". Tell us about what convinced you to share your opinions publicly?

Your observation is accurate. I've been saying inappropriate things my whole life. Most of my life has been a struggle to keep my thoughts to myself. To constantly tell myself: Don't say it.

But being in America, as a grown woman, as an adult, I felt okay to say things. I'm not killing anybody. People can disagree with me and walk away. Now, I'm in a business where the more I say it, the more successful I am. So, for 45 years, my whole life has been about putting a speed breaker [over my thoughts...