From renowned political figures like Michelle Obama to celebrities like Laverne Cox, several women have inspired the world with insightful quotes capable of triggering a revolution.
Since its inception over a hundred years ago, International Women’s Day has served as an avenue for women to come together and fight for a common goal. Additionally, it also availed the universe the opportunity to celebrate historical women who attained cultural, social, economic, or political excellence in a world of men, and ultimately, changed the world.
Even in today’s world, many women have done their bits in contributing to the growth and success of the female community. These women include celebrities, political figures, successful career women, and the likes.
While some contribute through active human rights movements, others champion revolutions through inspiring quotes that go a long way in changing the thought process. Some of the best women’s day quotes from outstanding 21st-century female icons are outlined below, in honor of the International Women’s Day of 2021.
1. WOMEN’S DAY QUOTES BY MICHELLE OBAMA
Addressing a group of women at the DNC, former FLOTUS, Michelle Obama divulged:
“When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back.”
2. SERENA WILLIAMS’ QUOTE
“When we stand for something, we’re unhinged. When we’re too good there’s something wrong with us. And if we get angry, we’re hysterical or irrational or just being crazy… So if they want to call you crazy? Fine. Show them what crazy can do.”
From Serena Williams’ speech in a 2018 Nike advertisement.
3. QUOTES BY LAVERNE COX
“I am a person of color, working-class, born to a single mother. But I stand before you tonight an artist, an actress, and a sister and a daughter. And I believe it is important to name the multiple parts of my identity because I am not just one thing. And neither are you.”
Laverne Cox said this in 2015 while speaking to some university students.
4. OLIVIA MUNN
Actress, Olivia Munn once stood up to her film bosses for casting a registered sex offender in the movie, “The Predator.” Following the incident, she addressed a group of women, urging them never to hide their voices. She said:
“Even if you find yourself standing alone, speak up. Even if people get mad at you, speak up. It’s not our job to stay silent so that others can stay comfortable. Use your voice to shape the world, or others will shape it for us.”
5. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ
“The idea that a woman can be as powerful as a man is something that our society can’t deal with. But I am as powerful as a man, and it drives them crazy.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this during a 2019 interview with The New Yorker.
6. WOMEN’S DAY QUOTE BY RUTH BADER GINSBURG
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
A quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
7. MEGHAN MARKLE
Right from a young age, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle has lent her voice in advocating for the more marginalized sectors of society. Her unique approach has contributed to the liberation and empowerment of women all over the world. She once noted:
“What is interesting is that I hear a lot of people saying, when talking about girls’ empowerment and women as well, you’ll often hear people saying, ‘You’re helping them find their voices.’ I fundamentally disagree with that. Women don’t need to find their voice. They need to feel empowered to use it. And people need to be encouraged to listen.”
8. OPRAH WINFREY’S QUOTE
“For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up. Their time is up.”
An excerpt from Oprah Winfrey’s acceptance speech at the 2018 Golden Globes where she snagged the Cecil B. de Mille Award.
9. WOMEN’S DAY QUOTE BY JENNIFER ANISTON
In a personal essay for the Huffington Post, actress, Jennifer Aniston spoke out about her rights to decide whether or not to have children, saying:
“We are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child. We get to decide for ourselves what is beautiful when it comes to our bodies. That decision is ours, and ours alone.”
10. EMMA WATSON
Emma Watson has proven herself as one of the strong women of the 21st-century through her advocacy for feminism and women’s rights. During an interview with the Guardian in 2017, she explained her unique take on the subject, saying:
“Feminism is about giving women choice. It’s not a stick with which to beat other women with. It is about freedom. It’s about liberation. It’s about equality. I really don’t know what my tits have to do with it.”
These ten insightful women’s day quotes and many others have in some way facilitated the centuries-long struggle for female liberation and gender parity.
