Empowering Quotes From Inspirational Women

At NYWC, we envision and work toward a world where all doors are open for all women. In our lives and in the programs we offer, we are encouraged by strong women who have shared their wisdom over the years. Bookmark these empowering quotes from inspirational women who support other women, from Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s comments on women’s rights to moving words from Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Brené Brown and many others. Return to this page whenever you need a boost. Plus, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and share your favourite female empowerment quotes with us there.

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou

The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.” Serena Williams

“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

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” Brené Brown

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

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” Oprah Winfrey

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

“Women are always saying, ‘We can do anything that men can do.’ But men should be saying, ‘We can do anything that women can do.’” Gloria Steinem

“Nothing’s impossible. It’s what you decide your limits are.” Lori-Ann Muenzer

“Where there is a woman, there is magic.” Ntozake Shange

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you cannot go through a particular door. Always be prepared to go through a door that leads to your goal.” Ann Saddlemyer

“It’s the moment you think you can’t that you realize you can.” Céline Dion

“What would happen if we encouraged all women to be a little more ambitious? I think the world would change.” Reece Witherspoon

“Change requires courage, but the failure to change does not signify the lack of it” Harriet Lerner

“Choose courage over comfort.” Brené Brown

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“You have to leave room in life to dream.” Buffy Sainte-Marie

“We’re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and perfectionism, there’s a surprisingly simple reason we want to own, integrate, and share our stories of struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive when we’re connecting with others and being brave with our stories – it’s in our biology.” Brené Brown

“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Joan Didion

“I am thankful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.” Alex Elle

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” Melinda Gates

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let it go.” Carol Burnett

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” Audre Lorde

“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” Maya Angelou

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” Golda Meir

“I want to apologize to all the women I have called beautiful
before I’ve called them intelligent or brave
I am sorry I made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is all you have to be proud of
when you have broken mountains with your wit
from now on I will say things like
you are resilient, or you are extraordinary
not because I don’t think you’re beautiful
but because I need you to know
you are more than that.” Rupi Kaur

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