Give Yourself a Boost of Empowerment With These Feminist Words of Wisdom
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I probably don't have to convince you of the obvious fact that we should all be feminists. Nevertheless, we could all use some inspiration from time to time to remind us what we're fighting for or to give us a boost—because we've definitely still got our work cut out for us. Luckily, we've rounded up a ton of empowering feminist quotes from activists, artists, writers, and other notable figures to spark inspiration when you need it.
These feminist quotes emphasize the importance of intersectionality as well as the importance of having supportive, strong women in your community. Some of these quotes might be the motivation you need to ask for a raise, run for office, or take up the fight in your local community. Others will be a good jumping-off point for learning about the history of feminism. If you want to take things a step further, we've included links to shop many of the books where we sourced these feminist quotes from. You can also check out our lists of feminist books everyone should read, the best feminist movies, and feminist songs to add to your playlist.
Whether you're looking for something to share on social media during Women's History Month, need some inspo for your protest sign, or you're just here to learn, keep scrolling for some motivational feminist quotes that'll get you fired up.
For When You're All About Intersectionality
From Audre Lorde's keynote presentation at the National Women’s Studies Association Conference.
For When You Need Some Bravery
From Malala Yousafzai's address to the United Nations on her 16th birthday.
For When You Need a Confidence Boost From Rihanna Herself
From Harper’s Bazaar.
For When You're Facing Challenges
From The Light We Carry.
For When You're Protecting Black Women
From The New York Times.
For When You’re Practicing Self-Love
From The Beauty Myth.
For When You're Standing Strong in Your Beliefs
From Quinta Brunson's December 2022 cover of Cosmopolitan.
For When You're Appreciating the Powerful Women in Your Life
From Aubrey Plaza's interview with Cosmopolitan.
For when you’re convincing someone they should be a feminist.
From Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics.
For When You're Using Your Anger for Change
From Audre Lorde's keynote presentation at the National Women’s Studies Association Conference.
For When You're Uplifting Black Women
From The New York Times.
For When You're Thinking About Running for Office
From Marie Claire.
For When You Need a Reminder on the Power of Independence
From Half of a Yellow Sun.
For When You're Changing the World
From The Cut.
For When You're Feeling Fired Up
From Meghan Markle's address at the UN Women’s Conference.
For When You’re Talking About Intersectionality
From Freedom Is a Constant Struggle.
For When You Need a Self-Care Reminder
From Harper's Bazaar.
For When You Need a Reminder of Your Power
From Marie Claire.
For When You’re Tapping Into Your Feelings
From Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.
For When You're Leading the Next Generation
From Meghan Markle's address at the University of the South Pacific.
For When You're Stepping into Your Power
From Marie Claire.
For When You Need a Little Strength
From Milk and Honey.
For When You're Blazing Your Own Path
From Taylor Swift's commencement speech to the New York University class of 2022.
For When You Need to Speak Up
From The New York Times.
For When You Need to Remember Who You Are
From Bust magazine.
For When You Need to Forgive Yourself for Being Imperfect
From Bad Feminist.
For When It's Time to Ask for That Raise
From The New York Times.
For When You’re Ready to Take Charge
From Everyday Sexism.
For When You're Rejecting Labels
From The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women.
For When You Need a Boost from Beyoncé Herself
From Harper’s Bazaar.
For All Your Fellow “Unlikable” Women
From Bad Feminist.
For When You're Fired Up About Gender Inequality
From My Life on the Road.
For When You're Standing Strong
From Snow Like Ashes.
For When You Want to Embrace Your Feminine Side
From We Should All Be Feminists.
For When You're Rejecting Expectations
From Warsan Shire on Twitter.
For When You're All About Educational Opportunities
From Malala Yousafzai's address at the G7 Education and Development Ministers Meeting.
For When You Know Who Really Owns Your Body (You, Duh)
Attributed to Margaret Sanger, who opened the first birth-control clinic in America.
For When You're Not Going Anywhere
From MSNBC.
From When You're Rejecting Other People's Opinions
From Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion.
For When You Actively Resist the Patriarchy
From The Handmaid’s Tale.
From When You Need a Partner Who's on the Same Page
From A Message to My Sistas.
For When You Want People to Know What Feminism is Really About
From Emma Watson's address at the United Nations HeForShe campaign.
For When You Know How Magical Your Mind Is
From A Room of One’s Own.
For When You're Encouraging Young Women
From Hillary Clinton on Twitter.
For When You're Ready to Fight
From Know My Name: A Memoir.
For When You Need to Keep Up the Hope
From The Hundred Secret Senses.
For When You're Changing the Game
From Dolly Parton on Twitter.
For When You Need a Self-Love Pep Talk
From Sheryl Lee Ralph's acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards.
For When You Understand Your Own Power
From I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.
For When You're Grateful for the Women Who Came Before You
From Janet Mock's address at the Women’s March.
For When You're Leaning In
From Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
For When You Are 100 Percent Autonomous
From Jane Eyre.
For When You're Not Letting Anyone Else Define You
From Angelina Jolie's 2003 Cosmo cover interview.
For When You're Listening to Disabled Feminists
From Buzzfeed.
For Convincing the World That “Sex” Is Not a Dirty Word
From Cosmopolitan.
For When You're Showing Up No Matter What
From Ilhan Omar's speech at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol.
For When You Know Things Need to Change
From Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redefining Difference.
For When You’re Feeling an Important Change Coming On
From Embroideries.
For When You Need a Push
From The Cut.
For When You're Passionate About Your Career
From The New Yorker.
For When You Just Need a Little Bit of Courage
From Why Not Me?
For When The Only People Who Get It Are Other Women
From Vulture.
For When You're Feeling Confident
From USA Today.
For When You Need to Remain Optimistic
From the New York Times.
For When You're Inspiring The Next Generation
From Cosmopolitan.
For When You Recognize Your Agency
From The Bluest Eye.
For When You're Stepping Up
From Coretta Scott King's address in Washington D.C.
For When You're Fighting For a Seat at the Table
From USA Today.
For When You’re Fighting for Representation
From Cosmopolitan.
For When You're Feeling Academic
From Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race.
For When You're Committed to Who You Are
From Allure.
For When You Know We Can Do Better
From Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman.
For When You're Reminding Someone That Feminism is for Men Too
From Emma Watson's address at the United Nations HeForShe campaign.
For When You're Standing Up to Bullies
From Meryl Streep's address at the Women in the World Summit.
For When You Are You, in All Your Glory
From Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women.
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