It’s Women’s History Month, a time for appreciation and empowerment. Throughout history, women have created art, spoken out, or written words that are powerful messages to remember throughout the month (and all year long). All while effortlessly smashing the patriarchy and gender norms? Needless to say, womanhood is iconic. And since Beyoncé already told us that girls run the world, I’d take the woman’s word as fact.
Women’s History Month was established in 1987 and since then (and even before), women have only continued to move the needle in the direction of progress and empowerment with their words. Since “empowered women, empower women” these quotes from women bring about inspiration to daily life: whether they be spoken as mantras, included on mood boards and vision boards, or even used as Instagram captions. Whatever you choose, these wise words from women are here to remind you of the power you possess through your femininity — throughout Women’s History Month and beyond. You go, girl!
- “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.” ― Gloria Steinem
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Steinem has been the OG feminist since the 70’s, and this quote is a reminder that you don’t need a man.
- “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” ― Sophia Loren.
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Just a little reminder that every part of you is beautiful, especially your brain, personality, and energy.
- “The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.” ― Michelle Obama
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Never stop working for your goals bestie!
- “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou
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Never stop standing up for your friends, and yourself.
- “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.” ― Malala Youzafai
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Preach.
- “I feel there is something unexplored about women that only a woman can explore.” ― Georgia O’Keefe.
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O’Keefe is known for her vagina-inspired floral paintings, and that’s some artistic empowerment right there.
- “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” ― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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RBG was the queen of empowerment.
- “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” ― Audre Lorde
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WDYM you haven’t read Audre Lorde yet? Put it on the TBR!
- “Men often ask me, ‘Why are your female characters so paranoid?’ It’s not paranoia. It’s recognition of their situation.” ― Margaret Atwood
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Margaret Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale, and said this about her writing in the Paris Review.
- “The more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.” ― Emma Watson
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Forever Hermonie in our minds, and Hermonine was def a feminist.
- “We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.” ― Beyoncé
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Just listen to Queen Bey and make it happen.
- “Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention.” ― P!nk
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The perfect IWD IG caption, honestly.
- “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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This is from her book We Should All Be Feminists, and I def recommend reading it.
- “Friends. Sisters. Mothers. Professors. When women affirm women, it unlocks our power. It gives us permission to shine brighter.” ― Elaine Welteroth
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Another quote from a great feminist book, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say).
- “Nothing I accept about myself can be used against me to diminish me.” ― Audre Lorde
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Accept yourself because there is only one of you, and that needs to be celebrated.
- “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” ― Jane Austen
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Jane Austen’s words still hold up today, IMHO.
- “A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none.” ― Marilyn Monroe
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You have no limits, bestie. You can reach any goal.
- “They’ll tell you you’re too loud — that you need to wait your turn and ask the right people for permission. Do it anyway.” ― Alexandria Ocasio-Corte
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An icon living.
- “A feminist is any woman who tells the truth about her life.” ― Virginia Woolf
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Feminism is for everyone, and equality is for everyone.
- “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
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The best quote to celebrate women.
- “Men are not the enemy, but the fellow victims. The real enemy is women’s denigration of themselves.” – Betty Friedan
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Another OG feminist, Friedan wrote The Feminist Mystique, which introduced many women to second-wave feminism.
- “Feminism is not just about women; it’s about letting all people lead fuller lives.” – Jane Fonda
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Feminism creates a better world for everyone.
- “What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” – Rupi Kaur
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You have the power to accomplish every goal you have for yourself.
- “I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.” – Audrey Hepburn
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A reminder: You are allowed to slow down to focus on your own happiness when you need to.
- “Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you’re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don’t have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited.” – Ava DuVernay
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Ignore the limitations and accomplish everything you have ever dreamt of.
- “Females are the most beautiful, gorgeous creatures in the whole world. And I think that we are gorgeous no matter what size we are.” – Alicia Keys
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Hey cutie, you are beautiful inside and out.
- “Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” – Amelia Earhart
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Men get to be cocky about everything, who says you can’t be too?
- “When I’m feeling a little low, I put on my favorite high heels to stand a little taller.” – Dolly Parton
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Dolly always knows how to cheer us up!
- “It’s not about how many times you get rejected or fall down or are beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.” ― Lady Gaga
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No matter how many times the patriarchy pushes you down, keep going!
- “Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.” – Princess Diana
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Remember to take a minute to help everyone around you.
- “Yes, it’s a man’s world, but that’s all right because they’re making a total mess of it. We’re chipping away at their control, taking the parts we want. Some women think it’s a difficult task, but it’s not.” – Cher
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Cher is here to remind you that you can do anything.
- “I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.” – Reese Witherspoon
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Feminism is seeing injustice and working to change it, even if it’s subtle.
- “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora Ephron
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And being your own heroine is a reminder to love yourself.
- “The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own. There is no other way.” – Betty Friedan
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Find a creative outlet to find yourself, and once you do, you might fall in love with that person you had hidden inside.
- “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” ― Oprah Winfrey.
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Don’t let that crown fall!
- “As long as she thinks of a man, nobody objects to a woman thinking.” ― Virginia Woolf
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Your thoughts are your own, use them as a place to find power.
- “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” ― Audre Lorde
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Feminism is not equal unless everyone — regardless of race, orientation, or gender identity — is included.
- “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” ― Serena Williams
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And her biggest opponent has been her own sister.
- “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” ― Coco Chanel
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Ignore others’ opinions that are based on patriarchy.
- “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” – Dolly Parton
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And no matter what people say, you can do anything.