No amount of superlatives can properly describe the incredible insightfulness of many historic women. From politicians to painters, authors to doctors, and athletes to moms, women have thrived and inspired countless others to do the same. What makes their achievements all the more remarkable are the hardships that women often endure in the constant struggle for equal rights — hardships that force them to break down barriers and succeed in the face of adversity.
History has seen figures includings Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, and Virginia Woolf fight tirelessly for others, sharing wisdom that still resonates today. In more modern times, inspirational women such as Dolly Parton and Malala Yousafzai have led incredible lives that serve as motivation for others to pursue their own paths. Then there are groundbreaking artists and luminaries such as Maya Angelou and Frida Kahlo, whose creative works continue to have a major impact on the world.
Listening to and absorbing the sage advice from these women — and countless others, including women we know personally — can only broaden our worldview and better our lives. Here are 30 incredible quotes from some truly amazing women.
Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.Maya Angelou
I'm not offended by all of the dumb blond jokes because I know I'm not dumb … and I also know that I'm not blond.Dolly Parton
I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls. I think realizing that you’re not alone, that you are standing with millions of your sisters around the world is vital.Malala Yousafzai
For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.Michelle Obama
The history of men’s opposition to women’s emancipation is more interesting perhaps than the story of emancipation itself.Virginia Woolf
Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.Oprah Winfrey
Great people do things before they are ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they're proven right.Amy Poehler
A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.Eleanor Roosevelt
Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't.Audre Lorde
I live my life the way I want to, which used to be considered a masculine trait, but now it is not. When I started doing it, it wasn’t so popular. But the later in time we get, the less radical it seems.Cher
Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it — and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.Wilma Mankiller
But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We, none of us, expect to be in smooth water all our days.Jane Austen
I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: Be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.Serena Williams
It can’t last forever. Others have thought such things, in bad times before this, and they were always right, they did get out one way or another, and it didn’t last forever.Margaret Atwood
Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you'll have a marvelous time!Julia Child
When you can’t find someone to follow, you have to find a way to lead by example.Roxane Gay
I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.Charlotte Brontë
Sometimes we get caught up and having to do the to-do list of everyday life that we forget that there's this curiosity and playfulness and this creativity that needs to be fed.LeAnn Rimes
Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And when you stumble, keep faith. And when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on.Hillary Clinton
People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically … No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.Rosa Parks
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.Frida Kahlo
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.Marie Curie
There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.Rihanna
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.Helen Keller
Stop telling girls they can be anything they want when they grow up. I think it’s a mistake. Not because they can’t, but because it would have never occurred to them that they couldn’t.Sarah Silverman
The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let men sometimes fool themselves. Men sometimes didn't bother to find out who and what I was. Instead they would invent a character for me. I wouldn't argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't.Marilyn Monroe
Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.Coretta Scott King
Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say.Barbara Kingsolver
Featured image credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images
About the Author
Bennett Kleinman
Bennett is a staff writer at Optimism as well as a freelance comedy writer. He's based in New York City.
