International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on March 8, is a day honouring women and their many achievements. To help you honour the phenomenal women in your life, we’ve compiled a list of inspiring and empowering quotes by women and for women. Happy International Women’s Day!
Eleanor Roosevelt
Born in 1884 she was the longest serving First Lady of the United states, from 1933 to 1945, she was a politician, diplomat and activist. She died in 1962.
“Well behaved women seldom make history.”
J.K Rowling is the UK’s most successful author
J.K Rowling
One of the most successful authors of all time writing the hugely popular Harry Potter series, 52-year-old Rowling lived off state benefits before becoming the world’s first billionaire author.
“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
Mother Teresa
Born in 1910, she was known around the world for her work with the poor and sick in India, and following her death in 1997 she has now become a saint, referred to as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Coco is the only fashion designer listed on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century
Coco Chanel
Born in 1883 as Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, she was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand, and is credited with being one of the women to free women from the ‘corset silhouette’. She passed away in 1971.
“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as outside.”
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher, 1925-2013, was the UK’s first female Prime Minister, in office from 1979 to 1990, and is a deeply divisive figure in politics.
“In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”
Michelle Obama
The first black First Lady of the US, from 2009 to 2017, Michelle has become a role model for for women, an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity and healthy eating, as well as a fashion icon.
“Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is an American media proprietor, talk show host – hosting a successful show of her own name – actress, producer, and philanthropist.
“Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey, 1929-1993, is revered as a fashion icon and one of the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
“Elegance is only beauty that never fades”
Beyoncé
The superstar, a singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress, is one of best-selling artists of all time and was ranked sixth in Time’s Person of the Year in 2016.
“The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.”
Malala Yousafzai
The 20-year-old was just 15 when she was shot by the Taliban for her activism, and is the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Extremists have shown what frighten them most: A girl with a book.”
Rosa was riding the Cleveland Avenue bus, a General Motors Old Look bus belonging to the Montgomery City Lines, around 6 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 1955
Rosa Parks
Rosa, 1913-2005, is widely credited with being the ‘first lady’ of the civil rights movement after her refusal to give up a bus seat.
“Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
Amelia Earhart
Amelia, 1897-1939, was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and received the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for this accomplishment.
“Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail their failure must be but a challenge to others.”
Princess Diana
‘The people’s princess’, Diana, 1961-1997, was well-known for charitable work, notably with landmines and HIV.
“I don’t go by the rule book… I lead from the heart, not the head.”
Grace Kelly
The American movie actress 1929-1982, was a style icon and became the Princes of Monaco aged 26.
“I’m basically a feminist. I think that women can do anything they decide to do.
“Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”
– Unknown
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
– Judy Garland, American singer and actor
“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.”
– Katharine Hepburn, American actor
“Don’t let anyone tell you you’re weak because you’re a woman.”
– Mary Kom, Olympic boxer
“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”
– Rebecca West, British author and feminist
“I raise up my voice – not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”
– Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist and youngest Nobel Prize laureate
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”
– Madeleine Albright, first female Secretary of State in the US.
“Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely – and the right to be heard.”
– Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State and presidential candidate.
“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
– Margaret Thatcher, first female prime minister of Britain
“A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman.”
– Melinda Gates, co-founder, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry”
– Gloria Steinem, American journalist and feminist
Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
– Nora Ephron, American writer and filmmaker
“I am a Woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal Woman,
that’s me.”
– Maya Angelou, American poet and civil rights activist