When it comes to lists of motivational quotes, it’s not unusual for men to feature more frequently than women. So in celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a list of quotes by women only.
Keep reading to discover 50 pearls of wisdom from 50 inspirational women who have made a huge impact.
We hope they inspire you to dream bigger, take risks, and become your best self.
1. “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.” — Janis Joplin
2. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” — Malala Yousafzai
3. "I do not wish [women] to have power over men; but over themselves." — Mary Wollstonecraft
4. "I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth." — Sonia Sotomayor
5. “The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. We are filled with the popular wisdom of several centuries just past, and we are terrified to give it up.” — Gloria Steinem
6. “We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained." — Marie Curie
7. "What makes you different or weird, that's your strength." — Meryl Streep
8. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
9. "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." — Rosa Parks
10. "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank
11. “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.” — Melissa Etheridge
12. "We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead." — Beyoncé
13. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” — Michelle Obama
14. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder
15. "The more you can be authentic, the happier you're going to be, and life will work itself around that." — Melinda Gates
16. "Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." — Brené Brown.
17. "Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different." — Indra Nooyi
18. “Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland
19. “Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” — Arianna Huffington
20. “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the ability to create, nurture, and transform.” — Diane Mariechild
21. “You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.” — Tyra Banks
22. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” — Dolly Parton
23. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” — Helen Keller
24. "On my own I will just create, and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, I’ll create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be." — Oprah Winfrey
25. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
26. “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” — J. K. Rowling
27. “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” — Emma Stone
28. “Giving up doesn’t always mean you’re weak. Sometimes you’re just strong enough to let go.” — Taylor Swift
29. “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” — Madeleine Albright
30. “Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
31. “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” — Marilyn Monroe
32. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.” — Catherine Cook
33. “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” — Rosalynn Carter
34. “And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk more.” — Erica Jong
35. “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn
36. “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” — Lucille Ball
37. "A girl should be two things: who and what she wants." — Coco Chanel
38. “Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” — Golda Meir
39. “I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say ‘yes, women can.’” — Dilma Rousseff
40. “Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you.” — Caroline Myss
41. "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made... It shouldn't be that women are the exception." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
42. “Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg
43. “When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” — Audre Lorde
44. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” — Amelia Earhart
45. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin
46. “Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.”—Anita Roddick
47. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker
48. "I decided I can't pay a person to rewind time, so I may as well get over it." — Serena Williams
49. “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” — Mary Louise Alcott
50. "The most important words that have helped me in life, when things have gone right or when things have gone wrong, are 'accept responsibility.’” — Billie Jean King
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