As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, we think of not only the women close to us who have empowered and inspired us, but the women who have made an incredible impact on the world with their courage, contributions, and leadership. We’ve put together ten of our favorite quotes by female leaders who have left a legacy and who continue to inspire us every single day. Our wish today is that you’ll both feel empowered and share the gift of empowerment with those around you. 

 

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lawyer and Jurist

 

“When we show up, act boldly, and practice the best ways to be wrong, we fail forward. No matter where we end up, we’ve grown from where we began.” –Stacey Abrams, Politician, Lawyer, Voting Rights Activist, and Author 

 

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” –Sara Blakely, Founder & CEO, Spanx

 

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” -Maya Angelou,  American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. 

 

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” –Brené Brown, Author & Storyteller (from her book, Daring Greatly)

 

“You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages,” –Michelle Obama, Former FLOTUS

 

“Do not live someone else’s life and someone else’s idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you.” –Viola Davis, Actress & Producer

 

“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard…We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” –Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for female education

 

“Where there is a woman, there is magic.” -Ntozake Shange, Playwright, Poet, Feminist

 

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” -Angela Y. Davis, Political Activist, Philosopher, Academic, and Author