Inspire your students with these inspirational quotes for women by women! We can all use a little motivation from time to time, so share these inspirational quotes for women from some of the most successful and powerful voices in history. These inspirational quotes by women are perfect for getting things fired up during Women’s History Month or anytime.
Inspirational Quotes for Women
“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” – Erica Jong
![If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. If you don't risk anything, you risk even more.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-1-800x800.jpg)
“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
![Quotes by Women 2 My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.](jpg/quotes-by-women-2-800x800.jpg)
“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important.” – Junko Tabei
![Quotes by Women 3 Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important.](jpg/quotes-by-women-3-800x800.jpg)
“Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.” – Helen Keller
![Quotes by Women 4 Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-4-800x800.jpg)
“You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.” – Coco Chanel
![Quotes by Women 6 You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life.](jpg/quotes-by-women-6-800x800.jpg)
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” – Madeleine Albright
![Quotes by Women 7 It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-7-800x800.jpg)
“Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyways.” – Glennon Doyle
![Quotes by Women 8 Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyways.](jpg/quotes-by-women-8-800x800.jpg)
“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
![Quotes by Women 9 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.](jpg/quotes-by-women-9-800x800.jpg)
“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
![Quotes by Women 11 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.](jpg/quotes-by-women-11-800x800.jpg)
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” – Melinda Gates
![Quotes by Women 12 A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-12-800x800.jpg)
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
![Quotes by Women 14 Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. ... It shouldn't be that women are the exception.](jpg/quotes-by-women-14-800x800.jpg)
“I feel now that the time is come when even a woman or a child who can speak a word for freedom and humanity is bound to speak.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
![Quotes by Women 16 I feel now that the time is come when even a woman or a child who can speak a word for freedom and humanity is bound to speak.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-16-800x800.jpg)
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
![Quotes by Women 17 There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-17-800x800.jpg)
“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.” – Coretta Scott King
![Quotes by Women 18 Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.](jpg/quotes-by-women-18-800x800.jpg)
“She does not know what the future holds, but she is grateful for slow and steady growth.” – Morgan Harper Nichols
![Quotes by Women 19 She does not know what the future holds, but she is grateful for slow and steady growth.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-19-800x800.jpg)
“Women have discovered that they cannot rely on men’s chivalry to give them justice.” – Helen Keller
![Quotes by Women 21 Women have discovered that they cannot rely on men's chivalry to give them justice.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-21-800x800.jpg)
“When black women win victories, it’s a boost for virtually every segment of society.” – Angela Davis
![Quotes by Women 22 When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-22-800x800.jpg)
“If you’re one of those people who has that little voice in the back of her mind saying, ‘Maybe I could do [fill in the blank],’ don’t tell it to be quiet. Give it a little room to grow, and try to find an environment it can grow in.” – Reese Witherspoon
![Quotes by Women 25 If you’re one of those people who has that little voice in the back of her mind saying, ‘Maybe I could do [fill in the blank],’ don’t tell it to be quiet. Give it a little room to grow, and try to find an environment it can grow in.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-25-800x800.jpg)
“Drama is very important in life: You have to come on with a bang. You never want to go out with a whimper.” – Julia Child
![Quotes by Women 26 Drama is very important in life: You have to come on with a bang. You never want to go out with a whimper.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-26-800x800.jpg)
“Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations, can never effect a reform.” – Susan B. Anthony
![Quotes by Women 27 Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations, can never effect a reform.](jpg/quotes-by-women-27-800x800.jpg)
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey
![Quotes by Women 29 Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.](jpg/quotes-by-women-29-800x800.jpg)
“Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” – Arianna Huffington
![Quotes by Women 30 Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-30-800x800.jpg)
“There is a stubbornness about me that can never bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” – Jane Austen from Pride and Prejudice
![Quotes by Women 31 There is a stubbornness about me that can never bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-31-800x800.jpg)
“A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
![A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water. A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.](jpg/quotes-by-women-32_v2.jpg)
“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” – Simone de Beauvoir
![Quotes by Women 33 Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.](jpg/quotes-by-women-33-800x800.jpg)
“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” – Golda Meir
![Quotes by Women 34 Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-34-800x800.jpg)
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora Ephron
![Quotes by Women 35 Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim](jpg/quotes-by-women-35-800x800.jpg)
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde
![Quotes by Women 36 I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.](jpg/quotes-by-women-36-800x800.jpg)
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!” – Dolly Parton
![Quotes by Women 37 The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-37-800x800.jpg)
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
![Quotes by Women 38 What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-38-800x800.jpg)
“The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran
![Quotes by Women 39 The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.](jpg/quotes-by-women-39-800x800.jpg)
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo
![Quotes by Women 40 At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-40-800x800.jpg)
“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” – Serena Williams
![Quotes by Women 41 I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-41-800x800.jpg)
“Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light.” – Frida Kahlo
![Quotes by Women 43 Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light.](jpg/quotes-by-women-43-800x800.jpg)
“If you can dance and be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world.” – Amy Poehler
![Quotes by Women 45 If you can dance and be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-45-800x800.jpg)
“Have no fear of perfection; you’ll never reach it.” – Marie Curie
![Quotes by Women 46 Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it.](jpg/quotes-by-women-46-800x800.jpg)
“Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.” – Shirley Chisholm
![Quotes by Women 47_v2 “Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.” - Shirley Chisholm](jpg/quotes-by-women-47_v2-800x800.jpg)
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
![Quotes by Women 48 No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-48-800x800.jpg)
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” – Rosa Parks
![I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.](jpg/quotes-by-women-49-800x800.jpg)
“You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” – Indira Gandhi
![Quotes by Women 50 You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-50-800x800.jpg)
“I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story—I will.” – Amy Schumer
![Quotes by Women 52 I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story—I will.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-52-800x800.jpg)
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
![Quotes by Women 53 Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-53-800x800.jpg)
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart
![Quotes by Women 55 The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.](jpg/quotes-by-women-55-800x800.jpg)
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou
![Quotes by Women 56 If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-56-800x800.jpg)
“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
![Quotes by Women 57 I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.](jpg/quotes-by-women-57-800x800.jpg)
“I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” – Louise Hay
![Quotes by Women 58 I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.- Famous Quotes by Women](jpg/quotes-by-women-58-800x800.jpg)
“In the mythic schema of all relations between men and women, man proposes, and woman is disposed of.” – Angela Carter
![In the mythic schema of all relations between men and women, man proposes, and woman is disposed of. In the mythic schema of all relations between men and women, man proposes, and woman is disposed of.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/59-29.jpg)
“We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family.” – Hillary Clinton
![We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family. We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family.](jpg/60-29.jpg)
“Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn’t make sense not to use both.” – Jeanette Rankin
![Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn’t make sense not to use both. Men and women are like right and left hands; it doesn't make sense not to use both.](jpg/61-28.jpg)
“Postmodernism is an academic theory, originating in academia with an academic elite, not in the world of women and men, where feminist theory is rooted.” – Catharine MacKinnon
![Postmodernism is an academic theory, originating in academia with an academic elite, not in the world of women and men, where feminist theory is rooted. Postmodernism is an academic theory, originating in academia with an academic elite, not in the world of women and men, where feminist theory is rooted.](jpg/62-29.jpg)
“Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them.” – Marya Mannes
![Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them. Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/63-28.jpg)
“By jove, no wonder women don’t love war nor understand it, nor can operate in it as a rule; it takes a man to suffer what other men have invented.” – Janet Flanner
![By jove, no wonder women don’t love war nor understand it, nor can operate in it as a rule; it takes a man to suffer what other men have invented. By jove, no wonder women don't love war nor understand it, nor can operate in it as a rule; it takes a man to suffer what other men have invented.](jpg/64-28.jpg)
“There are always women who will take men on their own terms. If I were a man, I wouldn’t bother to change while there are women like that around.” – Ann Oakley
![There are always women who will take men on their own terms. If I were a man, I wouldn’t bother to change while there are women like that around. There are always women who will take men on their own terms. If I were a man, I wouldn't bother to change while there are women like that around.](jpg/65-28.jpg)
“While gossip among women is universally ridiculed as low and trivial, gossip among men, especially if it is about women, is called theory, or idea, or fact.” – Andrea Dworkin
![While gossip among women is universally ridiculed as low and trivial, gossip among men, especially if it is about women, is called theory, or idea, or fact. While gossip among women is universally ridiculed as low and trivial, gossip among men, especially if it is about women, is called theory, or idea, or fact.](jpg/66-28.jpg)
“After centuries of dormancy, young women can now look toward a future moulded by their own hands.” – Rita Levi-Montalcini
![After centuries of dormancy, young women can now look toward a future moulded by their own hands. After centuries of dormancy, young women can now look toward a future moulded by their own hands.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/67-28.jpg)
“If women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn’t it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?” – Gloria Steinem
![If women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn’t it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long? If women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn't it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?](jpg/68-28.jpg)
“Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought of half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” – Charlotte Whitton
![Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought of half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought of half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.](jpg/69-28.jpg)
“I often want to cry. That is the only advantage women have over men—at least they can cry.” – Jean Rhys
![I often want to cry. That is the only advantage women have over men—at least they can cry. I often want to cry. That is the only advantage women have over men—at least they can cry.](jpg/70-28.jpg)
“I long to speak out about the intense inspiration that comes to me from the lives of strong women. They have made of their lives an intense adventure.” – Ruth Benedict
![I long to speak out about the intense inspiration that comes to me from the lives of strong women. They have made of their lives an intense adventure. I long to speak out about the intense inspiration that comes to me from the lives of strong women. They have made of their lives an intense adventure.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/71-27.jpg)
“Women have the right to say: this is surface, this falsifies reality, this degrades.” – Tillie Olsen
![Women have the right to say: this is surface, this falsifies reality, this degrades. Women have the right to say: this is surface, this falsifies reality, this degrades.](jpg/72-27.jpg)
“I don’t think a female running a house is a problem, a broken family. It’s perceived as one because of the notion that a head is a man.” – Toni Morrison
![I don’t think a female running a house is a problem, a broken family. It’s perceived as one because of the notion that a head is a man. I don't think a female running a house is a problem, a broken family. It's perceived as one because of the notion that a head is a man.](jpg/73-27.jpg)
“The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so.” – Harriet Martineau
![The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so. The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/74-27.jpg)
“Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.” – Mary Wollstonecraft
![Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience. Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.](jpg/75-26.jpg)
“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.” – Jane Austen from Pride and Prejudice
![I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any. I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.](jpg/76-26.jpg)
“Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.” – Katharine Hepburn
![Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/77-25.jpg)
“There’s no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first.” – Margaret Thatcher
![There’s no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. There's no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first.](jpg/78-25.jpg)
“Seeing their children touched and seared and wounded by race prejudice is one of the heaviest crosses which colored women have to bear.” – Mary Church Terrell
![Seeing their children touched and seared and wounded by race prejudice is one of the heaviest crosses which colored women have to bear. Seeing their children touched and seared and wounded by race prejudice is one of the heaviest crosses which colored women have to bear.- Inspirational Quotes for Women](jpg/79-25.jpg)
“As it turns out, social scientists have established only one fact about single women’s mental health: employment improves it.” – Susan Faludi
![As it turns out, social scientists have established only one fact about single women’s mental health: employment improves it. As it turns out, social scientists have established only one fact about single women's mental health: employment improves it.](jpg/80-25.jpg)
“Men need marriage more than women do. In fact, they need it to survive.” – Hanna Rosin
![Men need marriage more than women do. In fact, they need it to survive. Men need marriage more than women do. In fact, they need it to survive.](jpg/81-25.jpg)
“Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women.” – Elsa Schiaparelli
![Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women. Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women.](jpg/82-23.jpg)
“Standing alone, eager to just believe, it’s good enough to be what you really are, but in your heart, uncertainty forever lies, and you’ll always be somewhere on the outside. – “Outside” lyrics by Mariah Carey
![Standing alone, eager to just believe, it’s good enough to be what you really are, but in your heart, uncertainty forever lies, and you’ll always be somewhere on the outside. – Standing alone, eager to just believe, it's good enough to be what you really are, but in your heart, uncertainty forever lies, and you'll always be somewhere on the outside. -](jpg/83-23.jpg)
“Women are brought up to depend on a man and to feel naked and frightened without one. We have been taught to believe that as females we cannot stand alone, that we are too fragile, too delicate, too needful of protection.” – Colette Dowling
![Women are brought up to depend on a man and to feel naked and frightened without one. We have been taught to believe that as females we cannot stand alone, that we are too fragile, too delicate, too needful of protection. Women are brought up to depend on a man and to feel naked and frightened without one. We have been taught to believe that as females we cannot stand alone, that we are too fragile, too delicate, too needful of protection.](jpg/84-22.jpg)
“Women’s liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the woman.” – Corita Kent
![Women’s liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the woman. Women's liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the woman.](jpg/85-22.jpg)
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![Quotes-by-Women-59 Celebrate amazing leaders by sharing these inspirational quotes for women with your students in the classroom.](jpg/quotes-by-women-59-683x1024.jpg)