95+ World-Changing Women Quotes: Inspiration for Future Generations

But it is unknown to many that, notwithstanding making half of the world’s population, women occupy only 26.1% of parliamentary seats around the world. On the contrary, throughout history, women have been driving monumental changes in the order of society, science, politics, and culture. The words of these women game-changers across generations have inspired and keep inspiring us, shaping our day-to-day world. Hereafter, we would discuss 105 forceful quotes by world-reshaping women from all walks of life in different eras. These words of wisdom, courage, and determination stand now as an inspiration to future generations as one is reminded of the great impact women have had and continue to have on our world.

Let’s dive into this collection of 105 quotes that showcase the strength, wisdom, and influence of world-changing women.

Leadership and Empowerment

1. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” – Michelle Obama
2. “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” – Margaret Thatcher
3. “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
4. “I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” – Malala Yousafzai
5. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

These quotes emphasize the power of women’s voices and their ability to create change when given the opportunity.

6. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
7. “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
8. “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde
9. “Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.” – Nancy Pelosi
10. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

These quotes highlight the importance of women in leadership roles and their ability to break barriers in various fields.

Education and Knowledge

11. “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai
12. “The highest result of education is tolerance.” – Helen Keller
13. “When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in the people who invest in everyone else.” – Melinda Gates
14. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai
15. “The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” – Malcolm Forbes

These quotes emphasize the transformative power of education, particularly for women and girls.

16. “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” – Coco Chanel
17. “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton
18. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott
19. “The more I have spoken about feminism, the more I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.” – Emma Watson
20. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

These quotes remind us of the importance of self-determination, courage, and empathy in creating lasting change.

Equality and Justice

21. “I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.” – Thomas Jefferson
22. “Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.” – Frances Wright
23. “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” – Mary Wollstonecraft
24. “The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes.” – Bella Abzug
25. “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.” – Hillary Clinton

These quotes emphasize the fundamental importance of equality and justice for all, regardless of gender.

Science and Innovation

26. “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie
27. “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.” – Mae Jemison
28. “Science is not a boy’s game, it’s not a girl’s game. It’s everyone’s game.” – Nichelle Nichols
29. “In science, we must be interested in things, not in persons.” – Marie Curie
30. “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” – Rachel Carson

These quotes highlight the importance of women’s contributions to science and innovation, and the need for diversity in these fields.

Art and Creativity

31. “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” – Cecil B. DeMille
32. “I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.” – Frida Kahlo
33. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh
34. “The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.” – Gertrude Stein
35. “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe

These quotes remind us of the power of art and creativity in expressing oneself and challenging societal norms.

Perseverance and Resilience

36. “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
37. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
38. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
39. “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
40. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

These quotes emphasize the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.

Social Change and Activism

41. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
42. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
43. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou
44. “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou
45. “I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.” – Desmond Tutu

These quotes highlight the power of individual and collective action in creating social change.

Self-Empowerment and Confidence

46. “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” – Frida Kahlo
47. “I don’t have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I’m as good as anybody, but no better.” – Katherine Johnson
48. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey
49. “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” – Emma Stone
50. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

These quotes emphasize the importance of self-confidence and self-acceptance in achieving one’s goals.

Breaking Barriers

51. “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” – W.E.B. Dubois
52. “Women will be hidden no more. We will not remain silent.” – Malala Yousafzai
53. “I have broken many glass ceilings, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have scars.” – Hillary Clinton
54. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” – Shirley Chisholm
55. “Women have to harness their power—it’s absolutely true. It’s just learning not to take the first no. And if you can’t go straight ahead, you go around the corner.” – Cher

These quotes remind us of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the determination of women to break barriers.

Leadership and Vision

56. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” – Rosalynn Carter
57. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg
58. “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” – Jim Rohn
59. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
60. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” – Dolly Parton

These quotes highlight different aspects of effective leadership and the impact leaders can have on others.

Courage and Bravery

61. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela
62. “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” – Indira Gandhi
63. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.'” – Mary Anne Radmacher
64. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
65. “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.” – Simone de Beauvoir

These quotes remind us of the many forms courage can take and its importance in creating change.

Innovation and Creativity

66. “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” – Theodore Levitt
67. “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
68. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou
69. “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein
70. “Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” – Golda Meir

These quotes emphasize the importance of creativity and innovation in making a difference in the world.

Persistence and Determination

71. “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.” – Marie Curie
72. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
73. “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells
74. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart
75. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow.” – Marissa Mayer

These quotes highlight the importance of persistence and determination in achieving one’s goals.

Empathy and Compassion

76. “No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
77. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
78. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
79. “If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” – Anita Roddick
80. “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

These quotes remind us of the importance of empathy and compassion in creating a better world.

Education and Lifelong Learning

81. “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” – Brian Herbert
82. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
83. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King
84. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
85. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

These quotes emphasize the transformative power of education and the importance of lifelong learning.

Equality and Justice

86. “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” – Gloria Steinem
87. “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde
88. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
89. “The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.” – Susan B. Anthony
90. “We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.” – Beyoncé

These quotes highlight the ongoing struggle for equality and justice, and the role of women in this fight.

Resilience and Overcoming Adversity

91. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou
92. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker
93. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
94. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
95. “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” – Carl Jung

These quotes remind us of the power of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

Legacy and Impact

96. “I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom…. I want to be remembered as one who tried.” – Dorothy Height
97. “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou
98. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Muriel Strode
99. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
100. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

These quotes emphasize the importance of making a lasting impact and leaving a positive legacy.

Final Thoughts

These final quotes serve as a powerful reminder of the strength, determination, and potential of women to create change in the world.

As one reflects on these 105 quotes from women who changed the world, one remembers the incredible impact women have had in most fields of human endeavor: from science and politics to art and activism, these words of wisdom showcase strength, resiliency, and the vision the woman has shaped in our world.

Emerging from the quotes are the following themes: leadership, empowerment, education, equality, perseverance, and compassion, which are not strictly speaking women’s issues but human issues-things that challenge us all to rethink and push the envelope to make our world juster and more equitable.

As we forge onward, let these words guide us to action. Whether for equality, firmly pursuing our dreams, or using our voices to bring about change, each of us has the power to affect change. Remember that, just as so many of these remarkable women have shown us, change often begins with one voice, one action, or one idea.

Let us now carry these messages of empowerment, resilience, and hope with us in our effort to create a better world for all. After all, as Malala Yousafzai has reminded us, each of us has the potential to change the world; we simply need the courage to begin.