International Women’s Day: 10 Powerful Quotes to Inspire Us
INSPIRATION : MARCH 8, 2020
Countries from around the world celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8. The day not only celebrate the achievements made by women, but it also brings awareness to the obstacles that still stand in their way.Â
Women’s suffragists parade in New York City in 1917, carrying placards with the signatures of more than a million women.
First observed in the U.S. in 1909 as National Woman’s Day, the holiday has grown into a global salute to women since the United Nations officially declared March 8 International Women’s Day in 1975.
This year is focused on gender equality and human rights for all women and girls. The theme of the commemoration is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s rights.”
For the occasion, we have compiled a list of inspirational quotes of many great women. Do you have your favorite women’s quote which is not here? Then upload it to the list by commenting under the post!
International Women’s Day: 10 Powerful Quotes to Inspire Us.
Emmeline Pankhurst — England (1858-1928)
#1:Â “I would rather be a rebel than a slave.”
Why she inspires us: Although she wasn’t perfect, she demanded equality for woman as the leader of the suffragette movement. Her efforts led to the vote being granted to some women (those over the age of 30 who owned property or were married to a man who owned property) in 1918.
What she taught us: Underestimate the power of a fearless woman at your peril – suffragettes threw themselves under horses, chained themselves to railings and starved themselves for the right to vote.
Marie Curie — Poland (1867-1934)
#2: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
Why she inspires us:Â Curie was a pioneering, two-time Nobel prize winning scientist, whose research into radioactivity saved countless lives.
What she taught us:Â Perseverance: Curie was unable to attend University in Poland (because she was a woman) so decided to up sticks and move to Paris, just to continue her education.
Simone de Beauvoir — France (1908-1986)
#3: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
Why she inspires us: Simone de Beauvoir was an influential figure whose musings of feminism and existentialism has had significant impact on feminist movement and theory over history. De Beauvoir’s most-famous work, The Second Sex is a detailed analysis of women’s oppression and is credited as the start of second-wave feminism.
What she taught us: Throughout her lifetime, de Beauvoir’s ideas fed into the rise of feminist consciousness and the feminist movement as we know it today. They left an indelible mark on the world’s social and political scene – and it was the experience of the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Algerian War, that inspired them.
Rosa Parks, United States (1913-2005)
#4: “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
Why she inspires us: Parks was an NAACP secretary, civil rights activist and ‘Mother of the Movement’.
What she taught us: ‘Each person must live their life as a model for others’. Parks certainly showed this when she refused to give up her seat for a white man, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott – an important symbol of the civil rights movement.
Obiageli Ezekwesili — Nigeria (1963 – present)
#5: “A society that will not honour its women is a society that will be lost in the woods for a long time.”
Why she inspires us: Obiageli Ezekwesili is known worldwide for her role in leading the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, however Ezekwesili was already a notable leading voice in Nigerian politics as co-founder of Transparency International, former Federal Minister of Education, and Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division.
What she taught us: Ezekwesili has openly criticised the local government’s handling of the 200+ missing schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. Her #BringBackOurGirls campaign brought global attention to the issue in Chibok and trended worldwide with many powerful celebrities lending their support to the campaign. Over 20 of the missing girls have since been found, Ezekwesili continues her campaign work to find the other missing girls and remains a notable voice in women and human rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt, United States (1884-1962)
#6: “A women is like a teabag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”
Why she inspires us: Roosevelt wasn’t your average First Lady due to her vocal support of the rights of African-Americans and women’s rights – much to the chagrin of many at the time.
What she taught us: ‘Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.’
Li Tingting — China (1989 – present)
#7: “Feminism is my soul”
Why she inspires us: In a country with no human right and no freedom, Li Tingting has managed to organised high-profile campaigns to raise awareness of gender and LGBTQ inequality. In 2012 Tingting arranged a demonstration to raise awareness of domestic violence by wearing a blood-splattered wedding dress in the streets of China. In 2015 Tingting and four other female activists, known as the ‘Feminist Five’ were detained on the eve of International Women’s Day for their plans to protest against sexual harassment on public transport — which is all too prevalent in China.Â
What she taught us: Tingting is openly homosexual, in a country where LGBTQ discrimination remains widespread. While same-sex marriage is not legal in China, Tingting held a wedding ceremony with her partner in 2015 and refuses to deny her sexuality. Tingting remains hopeful that same-sex marriage will become legal in China within her lifetime.
Laxmi Agarwal — India (1990 – present)
#8: “I now realise that hidding my face is the same as staying silent”
Why she inspires us: Laxmi Agarwal was the victim of an acid attack — a crime which predominantly targets women in India — aged just 15, at the hands of an older man whose marriage proposal she had refused. Deciding the attack wouldn’t ruin the rest of her life, Laxmi decided to use the experience to help other acid attack victims and launched a social media campaign called Stop Acid Attacks. Her petition to curb acid sales garnered 27,000 signatures and was successful in leading the supreme court to order that the sale of acid be regulated and acid attacks become easier to pursue in court.Â
What she taught us: Laxmi is now the director of Chhanv Foundation which is dedicated to helping the survivors of acid attacks in India, and in 2014 she received an International Women of Courage award from Michelle Obama.
Hildegard of Bingen – Germany (1098-1179)
#9: “She is so bright and glorious that you cannot look at her face or her garments for the splendor with which she shines”
Why she inspires us: We went far back for Hildegard of Bingen, also known Saint Hildegard. She was a German Christian mystic, philosopher, writer, composer, and poet. An important multi-talented woman, she earned herself a revered position within the Christian Church during the dark ages of Europe. She mostly lived a life of seclusion, yet her poetry, philosophy, music, and writing were highly influential, even in the modern ages.Â
What she taught us: She preached throughout cities and towns and even to the clergy. That’s something that had never been seen before in the Church. Not by a woman or even a nun. This is a woman who was even consulted by Popes and kings for her advice and wisdom
Malala Yousafzai — Pakistan (1997 – present)
#10: “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful”
Why she inspires us: Yousafzai survived a Taliban assassination attempt as retaliation for her activism for girls’ education and went on to be the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
What she taught us: With Malala, it’s hard to know where to start: at the age of 20, she is already changing the world through her words and her work.
Women’s Day is every day – find out more quotes from famous women on our blog and remember to let us know what is YOUR favorite quote.Â
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