A great quote can give us that little boost to lift our mood. But a great quote from a great woman can sometimes be the spark that lights the fire deep within our soul and inspires us to be more and do more. Whether you need encouragement or validation, these 15 quotes are golden nuggets of wisdom and words to live by from 15 ground-breaking influential women instrumental in opening the doors of opportunities for other women.
1| Oprah Winfrey – Entrepreneur, Media Mogul, Actress
“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.”
2| Gloria Vanderbilt – Fashion Designer
“I’ve always believed that one woman’s success can only help another woman’s success.”
3| Golda Meir – Former Israeli Prime Minister
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
4| Maya Angelou – Poet, Writer
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
5| Amelia Earhart – Aviation Pioneer
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”
6| Jane Goodall – Anthropologist
“If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way.”
7| Ellen DeGeneres – Comedian, Talk Show Host
“When I was younger I thought success was something different. I thought, ” When I grow up, I want to be famous. I want to be a star. I want to be in movies. When I grow up I want to see the world, drive nice cars. I want to have groupies.” But my idea of success is different today. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity and not to give into peer pressure, to try to be something that you’re not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. To contribute in some way.”
8| Helen Keller – Author, Political Activist
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
9| J.K. Rowling – Author
“The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive.”
10| Nora Ephron – Director, Producer, Screenwriter
“Above all else, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
11| Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
12| Ayn Rand – Author
“Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.”
13| Mother Theresa – Catholic Nun, Missionary
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another.”
14| Anne Frank – Diarist and Holocaust Victim
“Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness.”
15| Coco Chanel – Fashion Designer
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
Fantastic Blog. Very much enjoyed reading.