Women today have their hands full. They’re managing their careers while also trying to balance their personal lives and family values. They’re accomplishing more than ever before and paving the way for future generations of female empowerment.
Nevertheless, we could all use an extra boost of motivation every now and then, which is where female empowerment quotes come in. While there’s an abundance of inspiring, noteworthy female empowerment quotes on the internet, we took the time to hone in on the top 12.
Whether you need a pick-me-up or you’re in search of reassurance that you’re on the right path, take a look at our favorite top 12 female empowerment quotes.
1. “Beyond money, beyond income, beyond opportunity—becoming self-made starts with choosing yourself.” — Nely Galán
Nely Galán founded The Adelante Movement, which strives to empower and train Latina and multicultural female entrepreneurs. As the first Latina president of a U.S. TV network, Galán has produced over 700 TV shows in English and Spanish for Telemundo. She won an Emmy Award for her productions and she’s also the accomplished author of the New York Times Best Selling book, “Self Made.” Nely is a true self-made media mogul with a master’s degree and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on the psychology of money.
2. “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger, women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” — G.D. Anderson
G.D. Anderson is a writer and the founder of The Cova Project, an organization providing support to women living in underdeveloped communities without access to sanitary products. Anderson and her sister, Caille, launched The Cova Project in 2018. Ever since then, they have helped over 4,000 African women gain access to menstrual cups. On top of providing sustainable solutions for women, Anderson also educates girls about menstruation, basic physical health, and personal development.
3. “Chase your dreams. Be true to who God created you to be. And keep working while you wait.” — Dr. Kimberly Clay
Dr. Kimberly Clay is the founder and CEO of Play Like a Girl, a non-profit organization based out of Nashville. Clay works to level the playing field for girls by using sports-related skills to move young women forward in male-dominated industries, like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM.
Clay created Play Like a Girl after noticing the gender gap in education and health back when she was doing work in southern U.S. communities. Her work earned her national recognition, including the Daily Point of Light Award, Toyota Everyday Hero, Forbes’ 40 under 40, and more!
4. “Understanding the privilege of being a leader allows you to tap into that center of compassion.” — Stephanie Nadi Olson
Olson grew up as the daughter of a refugee, which made her want to advocate for marginalized groups. She launched her company, We Are Rosie, which is an organization focused on finding better ways to do business with a people-first mindset. Olsen operates from a human-centered approach to marketing all while celebrating diversity and promoting happiness. Olson was also named AdAge Visionary of 2020, one of the World-Changing Women of 2020, and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019.
5. “As leaders, it is our job to model empathy and adaptability, and to push the boundaries of what we thought possible.” — Irina Novoselsky
A powerhouse CEO, Novoselsky’s most notable accomplishment was when she became the chief executive officer of CareerBuilder. As one of the largest tech companies, CareerBuilder provides HR solutions that help employers find and hire talented job seekers. With her extensive knowledge and skill set, Novoselsky is also on the board of CareerBuilder UK, Oil and GasJobSearch, and iNovitex Acquisition as the president.
6. “Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” — Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is a self-made billionaire and one of the most recognizable, powerful women in today’s society. True to her entrepreneurial spirit, she emphasizes the importance of taking personal responsibility for your life and making the world a better place. As the first African-American woman to own her own production company, Oprah is also an actress, talk show host, and Academy Award nominee. Winfrey’s making strides in many different areas. She’s an advocate for eradicating child abuse, and as such, she played a major part in passing the National Child Protection Act. She does extensive work with after-school assistance programs and funds shelters for women in need.
7. “I’ve always said if you have the attitude, the aptitude, and the interest, you can learn the skill set.” — Beth Paretta
As the first female director for a performance brand, Paretta is a motorsport driver for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In her role as CEO and Team Principal of Paretta Autosports, Beth Paretta is on a mission to break through barriers in the racing world. She also works to inspire future generations of female leaders, alongside her friend, Simona de Silvestro, who is an Indycar driver.
8. “You control your own life, your own will is very powerful” – J. K. Rowling
Joanne Rowling, also known as J.K. Rowling, is a world-renowned author, self-made billionaire, and philanthropist. As a single mother living on welfare, she wrote the beloved Harry Potter series in cafes with her baby daughter at her side. Despite her humble origins, she is now one of the wealthiest women in the world and her accomplishments inspire many to overcome their struggles. She is a fierce philanthropist and founder of the Volant Charitable Trust, an organization that helps women and children and combat poverty and social inequality. As a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, she continues to advocate for women and children.
9. “Be courageous. Challenge orthodoxy. Stand up for what you believe in. When you are in your rocking chair talking to your grandchildren many years from now, be sure you have a good story to tell.” — Amal Clooney
Amal Clooney is a renowned Lebanese-British barrister and one of the top legal experts on international human rights law, public international law, and international criminal law. She’s represented heads of states as well as entire communities before international courts. She has been at the forefront of several precedent-setting human rights cases in recent years, including trials in which ISIS members were convicted for genocide against Yazidis. She has also represented Armenia in a case involving recognition of the Armenian genocide. She has been described as possessing a “brilliant legal mind” and “a rare combination of intellectual depth and pragmatism.” She holds a legal degree from St. Hugh’s College, Oxford University, as well as a master’s in law from New York University School of Law.
10. “I always tell young people to hold on to their dreams. And sometimes, you have to stand up for what you think is right even if you have to stand alone.” — Claudette Colvin
Claudette Colvin pioneered the civil rights movement of 1950. She played a major role in ending bus segregation in the state of Alabama. Claudette Colvin was arrested at the age of 15 for not giving up her seat to a white woman on a crowded bus. She spent many years after that fighting to end segregation, even leading her to stand up for herself in federal court. The court case ended on December 20, 1956, at which point Colvin dedicated her time to helping people in hospitals. She spent the next 35 years as a nurse aid in New York.
11. “There is a moment where you have to choose whether to be silent or stand up.” — Malala Yousafzai
Malala’s story is an incredible one. The youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner to ever live, Malala is an educational activist from Pakistan. She works to hold leaders accountable for the promises they make to girls. She invests so much of her time into fighting for educational opportunities in developing countries, particularly for young girls. Malala raises money for girls through her organization called the Malala Fund.
12. “I am a money magnet. I say it any time I receive money in my life — a penny on the street or a five-figure paycheck.” — Stefanie O’Connell
Stefanie O’Connell is an author and journalist on a mission to teach women how they can live their dreams and manage money successfully. As a young woman, O’Connell wanted to live her dream life but she was experiencing the life of a starving artist, meaning her budget was very small. Her life experiences inspired her to write her book, “The Broke and Beautiful Life.” She is the host of Real Simple Magazine’s podcast, “Money Confident,” and she co-founded Statement Events and founded Statement Cards.
Inspiring women inspire women
It’s important to take the time to connect with inspiring women and female role models in your community. But it’s also critical to do your part and to work with younger women and girls to inspire them to do their best. Whether you’re accomplished in your career or you’ve just graduated from college, there are many ways you can give back to your community and be a role model for younger girls.
