30 Feminist Quotes from Inspiring and Successful Women
- Melissa Mondesir
- Dec 12, 2017
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 1
Feminism has finally come of age in 2017 (Yass!). So much so that Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2017 is feminism. The word was a top query throughout the year, with several spikes that of course followed the Women’s March to various news reports and events. And, if you’re anything like us, you’re celebrating the news.
You know here at Style salute, we’re all about the positive power of women. We recognize that confidence is power. Knowledge is power. Personal style is power. In fact, I like to think that Style Salute has helped propel a positive representation of how to be a badass feminist—all through our signature lens of optimism and inclusivity.
If you’re thirsty for life lessons you’re in luck because we rounded up the most inspiring feminist quotes from the female leaders we admire. From giving you the confidence to ask for that raise to helping you achieve your goals through persistence to learning self-love, these motivational quotes will boost your confidence, we promise.
Here are 30 feminist quotes to live by in 2018.
On persistence: “If you haven’t had a major fail in your career – face-plant level – you aren’t trying hard enough.” – Sallie Krawcheck
On power: “Power’s not given to you. You have to take it.” – Beyonce
On self-belief: “When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” – Oprah Winfrey
On facing fear: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ – Eleanor Roosevelt
On presence: “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” – Coco Chanel
On self-doubt: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn
On pride: “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.” – Hilary Clinton
On aggressiveness: “Every woman I know, particularly the senior ones, has been called too aggressive at work. We know in gender-blind studies that men are more aggressive in their offices than women. We know that. Yet we’re busy telling all the women that they’re too aggressive. That’s the issue.” – Sheryl Sandberg
On confidence: “Don’t give up, don’t take anything personally, and don’t take no for an answer.” – Sophia Amoruso
On capability: “We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.” – J.K. Rowling
On perseverance: “Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re failing at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always trust yourself, because if you don’t then who will??” – Marilyn Monroe
On self-assurance: “There are actresses who build themselves, and then there are actresses who are built by others, I want to build myself.” – Jennifer Lawrence
On feminism: “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
On certainty: “I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” – Madonna
On self-love: “Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best.” – Mother Teresa
On career: “People think at the end of the day a man is the only answer. Actually, a fulfilling job is better for me.” – Princess Diana
On independence: “I don’t need Prince Charming to have my own happy ending.” – Katy Perry
On inner-strength: “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie
On willpower: “What does it take to be the first female anything? It takes grit, and it takes grace.” – Meryl Streep
On sacrifice: “You can do anything in this world that you want to do, if you want to do it badly enough and you are willing to pay the price.” – Mary Kay
On boldness: “When a door is hard to open, and if nothing else works, sometimes you just have to rear back and kick it open.” – Muriel Siebert
On self-faith: “People say that you’re going the wrong way when it’s simply a way of your own.” – Angelina Jolie
On leadership: “The thing women must do to rise to power is to redefine their felinity. Once, power was considered a masculine attribute. In fact, power has no sex.” – Katharine Graham
On conviction: “I am a woman above everything else.” – Jackie Kennedy
On bravery: “Be brave and clear. Follow your heart and don’t be overly influenced by outside factors. Be true to yourself.” – Shirley Temple
On not giving up: “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fritzgerald
On voice: “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story – I will.” – Amy Schumer
On taking charge: I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.” – Amy Poehler
On sexism: “A feminist is a person who believes in the power of women just as much a they believe in the power of anyone else.” – Zendaya
On dreams: “We have to change this idea that women are only supposed to work in the house…women should go out and be what they want.” – Malala Yousafzai
The inspiration doesn’t stop here. Keep scrolling to shop the most empowering female books out there.
“If you haven’t had a major fail in your career – face-plant level – you aren’t trying hard enough.” – Sallie Krawcheck
“Power’s not given to you. You have to take it.” – Beyonce
“When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” – Oprah Winfrey
” You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ – Eleanor Roosevelt
“You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” – Coco Chanel
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the TalibanI Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 16
Twenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for MeaningTwenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning 24.99
I Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and #bethatgirlI Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and #bethatgirl 15.95
Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier, and More ResilientSuccessful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Resilient 13.99
This story is part of Style Salute’s Empowering Women and Workplaces initiative. Style Salute, a media company dedicated to helping women live a smarter and more stylish life, scouts experts from all over the world to help readers tackle big decision-making moments by giving them the information they need to make informed and empowered choices whether that in civic engagement, finance, career, health, wellness and more.
Another habit that makes you feel irresistible to yourself? Organizing your $$$. Not sure where to start?
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In search of even more financial wisdom, here are more personal finance topics for you:
Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client.
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