On Sunday, March 8 we celebrated women from all around the world. The sacrifices it took to get women in the position that they are today is recognized on this same day every year. Although there are plenty more hurdles to jump before women are granted equal rights, it is validation on this day for women everywhere that the fight for equality is never over. To celebrate this day, I have gathered some of the most memorable and inspirational quotes from the women who have helped thrust this movement to the forefront of discussions on women’s equality and empowerment.
“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.… We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
Emphasizing on the fact that many don’t have the choice to speak up, Malala shows women everywhere that it starts with one voice to raise up others who are silenced. In this way, women supporting other women is the pathway to true change.
“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger, women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.”
As explained by Anderson, it is not the fact that women don’t have what it takes to be equal to their male counterparts, it is the disillusion that women aren’t equal that should be extinguished in the minds of those living with this skewed perception.
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a b*tch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”
If this quote isn’t the embodiment of women’s empowerment, I’m not sure what is. I think every woman owes herself the pleasure of reading Angelou’s sensational poem, “Still I Rise,” to really understand what this empowerment truly means.
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.… It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
Ginsburg, one of the very few women to serve as a Supreme Court Justice for the United States, tells it right when she emphasizes that women deserve to be included in the discussion regarding major decisions in this country, not just men.
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”
The theme this year for International Women’s Day is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” It’s important for women’s rights to be validated but along with this, men’s rights as well. The goal of feminism is not only for women to gain their rights but to be equal to that of men who have these rights already. Steinem, who kickstarted the feminist movement in the ‘60s, paints this picture of equality perfectly, bringing in humanity as a key component of this.
“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.”
Often times, like Watson says above, people think feminism is all about bringing down men. This is not the case because women are just looking for validation that they too can be granted rights equal to that of men. In no way does feminism claim to take those rights away from men, women just want to be put on the same pedestal, share the same rights and not be denied the same opportunities is all.
“Women will be hidden no more. We will not remain hidden figures. We have names. … It was woman that gave you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was woman that gave you Malcolm X. And according to the Bible, it was a woman that gave you Jesus. Don’t you ever forget it.”
It’s true. There is no denying that women gave rise to great men and will continue to do so. Monáe highlighting this point is just another way for men to see that we are strong, independent and have power that should not be underestimated.
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”
Like Oprah said, failure should not be seen as a negative thing. To make permanent, lasting change women must not be afraid to push the limits and fight for their rights, for the sake of not just one woman, but all women everywhere.
Conclusion
Although the heading above might mislead you into thinking this is the end, I can assure you that women are not done rallying for their equality. March 8 of every year should serve as a reminder to many, the things that are still left unsaid and the things which are still left undone will not continue this way as time moves on. More amazing women will be born and in time these women will keep embracing their femininity and power as a strength, not a weakness, until change is established.
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