21 Empowering Quotes From Womens Rights Activists

International Women’s Day falls on March 8 each year. It is a global day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year’s theme is ‘Be Bold For Change’. In light of this, we have collected empowering quotes from women to share the voices of feminists and women’s rights campaigners, and to inspire you to be the change you want to see in the world.

‘Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.’ —Audre Lorde

‘I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.’ —Bell Hooks

Knowledge without wisdom is adequate for the powerful, but wisdom is essential to the survival of the subordinate. —Patricia Hill Collins

‘One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.’ —Simone de Beauvoir

‘Feminism is hated because women are hated. Anti-feminism is a direct expression of misogyny; it is the political defence of women hating.’ —Andrea Dworkin

‘A country’s greatness lies in its undying ideals of love and sacrifice that inspire the mothers of the race.’ —Sarojini Naidu

‘Who knows what women can be when they are finally free to be themselves.’ —Betty Friedan

‘It’s not about supplication, it’s about power. It’s not about asking, it’s about demanding. It’s not about convincing those who are currently in power, it’s about changing the very face of power itself.’ —Kimberle Williams Crenshaw

‘Masculine and feminine roles are not biologically fixed but socially constructed.’ —Judith Butler

‘I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.’ —Mary Shelley

‘Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.’ —Hillary Clinton

‘Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.’ —Oprah Winfrey

‘Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.’ —Charlotte Whitton

‘I demanded more rights for women because I know what women had to put up with.’ —Evita Peron

‘A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.’ —Eleanor Roosevelt

‘Women are the real architects of society.’ —Harriet Beecher Stowe

‘We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.’ —Beyoncé

‘I am a woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.’—Maya Angelou

‘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

‘My idea of feminism is self-determination, and it’s very open-ended: every woman has the right to become herself, and do whatever she needs to do.’ —Ani DiFranco

‘A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.’ —Melinda Gates
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