15 Inspiring Quotes from Iconic Women Leaders of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Women contribute unique value and perspectives across all sectors, communities, and societies to shape our world. Still, they also face distinct challenges and barriers to success—especially women of color. That makes it even more inspiring to hear the many influential female voices of yesterday, today, and tomorrow who embraced their leadership power and led the change they wanted to see.
To celebrate these incredible contributions, I've curated 15 empowering leadership quotes from remarkable women innovators, change-makers, trailblazers, and disrupters who motivate us to achieve our boldest visions for success.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
-Harriet Tubman
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”
-Michelle Obama
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
-Audre Lorde
“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
“Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes."
-Nancy Pelosi
“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“It's not every day you wake up with a mission in your mind, but I had a mission and I was determined to accomplish it.”
-Katherine Johnson
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”
- Melinda Gates“Getting past those labels, for me, is pretty much really easy because I define myself.”
-Serena Williams
“Power's not given to you. You have to take it.”
-Beyonce“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
- Sheryl Sandberg
“Women must become revolutionary. This cannot be evolution but revolution.”
-Shirley Chisholm
“In a world that wants women to whisper, I choose to yell.”
-Luvvie Ajayi
Feeling Inspired?
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