There is no shortage of women who prove that a woman can be who she wants to be and excel in doing it. We have come a long way from the time when women were considered the weaker gender, but there is still much work to do. In celebration of Women’s Month, we list some of the many inspiring quotes from women in politics, entertainment, literature, and fashion.
“You are the one that possesses the key to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.”
–Diane von Furstenberg in her book The Woman I Wanted To Be
“I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say ‘yes, women can’.”
–Dilma Rousseff in her speech after winning as Brazil’s first female president
“In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman.”
–Margaret Thatcher in her May 1965 speech to the National Union of Townsmen’s Guilds Conference
“Take criticisms seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.”
–Hillary Rodham Clinton in her book Living History
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
–Malala Yousafzai in her speech at Harvard’s Sanders Theater
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
–Nora Ephron in her commencement address to the Wellesley Class of 1996.
“It’s not trailblazing to write the world as it actually is. Women are smart and strong. They are not sex toys or damsels in distress.”
–Shonda Rhimes in her Producers Guild Awards acceptance speech
“I’m over trying to find the ‘adorable' way to state my opinion and still be likable! Fuck that. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for a man in charge who spent time contemplating what angle he should use to have his voice heard. It’s just heard.”
–Jennifer Lawrence in her article on Lenny Letter
“Don’t look at your feet to see if you’re doing it right. Just dance.”
–Anne Lamott in her book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life