Celebrating International Women’s Day is not just a nod to the achievements and contributions of women around the globe; it’s a clear call for gender equality, empowerment, and the breaking down of barriers that hold women back. It’s a day to honour the incredible women in our lives – mothers, sisters, friends, partners, or colleagues – and to acknowledge their contributions, resilience, and strength.
Since 1911, March 8th has been a special day worldwide to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for gender equality, officially recognised by the United Nations. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, we embrace a theme that resonates deeply in the currents of today’s global narrative: #InspireInclusion. This theme reflects the importance of fostering an inclusive world where every woman feels valued, heard, and empowered. Inclusion is about opening doors and ensuring that once inside, everyone has an equal seat at the table and the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
To celebrate International Women’s Day and its inspiring theme, let’s draw inspiration from the wisdom of both historical and contemporary figures who have broken barriers, challenged norms, and paved the way for future generations. Here are 50 inspirational women quotes that remind us of women’s strength, resilience, and potential worldwide.
Inspirational Women’s Day Quotes
- “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” — Serena Williams.
- “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant being your own person, being independent.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- “Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” —Charlotte Whitton.
- “Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” —Amelia Earhart.
- “Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress.” —Kiera Cass.
- “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.” — Hillary Clinton.
- “The fastest way to change society is to mobilise the women of the world.” — Charles Malik.
- “Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” —G.D. Anderson
- “Do not live someone else’s life and someone else’s idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you.” —Viola Davis.
- “Extremists have shown what frightens them most. A girl with a book.” —Malala Yousafzai
- “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” — Rihanna.
- “There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.” — Kofi Annan.
- “I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.” — Maya Angelou.
- “When women succeed, nations are safer, more secure, and prosperous” — Barack Obama.
- “Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone’s responsibility.” — Ban Ki-moon.
- “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.” —Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
- “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” — Sheryl Sandberg.
- “To all the little girls who are watching, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” — Hillary Clinton.
- “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” — B.R. Ambedkar.
- “Women have discovered that they cannot rely on men’s chivalry to give them justice.” —Helen Keller.
- “Let’s aim high and not stop until every woman and girl has the chance she deserves.” — Hillary Clinton.
- “The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.” — Roseanne Barr.
- “A strong woman is one who isn’t afraid to share her opinions and speak her truth.” — Melinda Gates.
- “As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” —Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- “I can promise you that women working together—linked, informed, and educated—can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.” —Isabel Allende.
Short Women’s Quotes for International Women’s Day - “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” — Melinda Gates
- “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” —Coco Chanel
- “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” — Michelle Obama
- “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” — Nora Ephron
- “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” — Hillary Clinton
- “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” — Mary Shelley
- “She believed she could, so she did.” —R.S. Grey
- “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” —Gina Carey.
- “There’s nothing a man can do that I can’t do better and in heels.” —Ginger Rogers.
- “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” —Shirley Chisholm.
- “Women’s freedom is the sign of social freedom.” — Rosa Luxemburg
- “I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” — Louise Hay
- “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” – Malala Yousafzai
- “Women are the real architects of society.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe
- “We women can do anything we set our minds to.” — Michelle Obama
- “The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.” —Beyoncé Knowles
- “Strong women don’t have ‘attitudes’; we have standards.” —Marilyn Monroe
- “One is not born a woman, but becomes one.” —Simone de Beauvoir
- “I don’t know a woman alive who isn’t courageous.” —Reese Witherspoon
- “A feminist is any woman who tells the truth about her life.” —Virginia Woolf
- “I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.” —Malala Yousafzai
- “Where there is a woman, there is magic.” —Ntozake Shange
- “Girls should never be afraid to be smart.” —Emma Watson
- “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” —Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Wrap It Up Right
As we embrace #InspireInclusion this International Women’s Day 2024, let us remember that inclusion goes beyond mere representation. It’s about valuing diversity, encouraging participation, and creating environments where every woman can thrive. These women’s quotes perfectly express the courage and determination of women who have led the way.
You can also express the unsaid and thank the remarkable lady in your life this International Women’s Day with the help of these best women’s day quotes. Pro Tip: A delicious Women’s Day cake, a personalised gift, and a card with heartfelt text along with special women quotes are what you require to let the remarkable woman in your life know that #SheDeservesItAll.