25 Inspiring Quotes from Influential Women in History

Here are 25 of our favorite quotes from musicians, writers, dancers and leaders—all women.

Musicians, writers, dancers and leaders—all women. Each inspirational in their own right; together, forming a motivational stew, encouraging you to seize life and sprint toward success. Here are 25 of our favorite quotes from these historical figures.

You can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed.

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You can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed.

Misty Copeland, The first female African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre


The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.

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The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.

—Amelia Earhart, Aviation pioneer and author

I believe that without God I am nobody, but that with God, I can do anything.

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I believe that without God I am nobody, but that with God, I can do anything.

Dolly Parton, Singer, actress and humanitarian


Knowing what must be done does away with fear.

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Knowing what must be done does away with fear.

—Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Activist


I've always been a big believer in paying it forward, and I feel that if you're lucky enough to be successful, you have a responsibility to give back.

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I’ve always been a big believer in paying it forward, and I feel that if you’re lucky enough to be successful, you have a responsibility to give back.

Lori Greiner, Entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge


When the whole world is silent, even one voicce becomes powerful.

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When the whole world is silent, even one voicce becomes powerful.

—Malala Yousafzai, Education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate


If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

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If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa, Patron Saint of Calcutta

Whenever you are blue or lonely or stricken by some humiliating thing you did, the cure and the hope is in caring about other people.

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Whenever you are blue or lonely or stricken by some humiliating thing you did, the cure and the hope is in caring about other people.

—Diane Sawyer, Television journalist


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Loss is real, parents pass, and hearts break, but the truth is that love never dies, not really. Love lives on through us. Not just in our memories but through our actions and the choices we make. In the way we live our lives we can make a difference.

Roma Downey, actress


Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all.

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Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all.

—Eleanor Roosevelt, Former United States First Lady


Don't make excuses. Make improvements.

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Don’t make excuses. Make improvements.

Tyra Banks, TV Host and entrepreneur


Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.

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Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.

—Ruth Bader Ginsburg, United States Supreme Court Associate Justice

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I’ve seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows and everything in between. But what my mother, my grandmother, and all the powerful women in my family instilled in us-our faith, and how to make it our own-carries me through. It’s like they are very much still here.

Jennifer Hudson, singer


It's one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

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It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

—Maya Angelou, Poet, singer and civil rights activist


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We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents, and interests.

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook


A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence.

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A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence.

—Sonia Sotomayor, United States Supreme Court Associate Justice


It’s not the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it. Sometimes you’ve got to blast through and have faith.

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It’s not the absence of fear, it’s overcoming it. Sometimes you’ve got to blast through and have faith.

—Emma Watson, Actress, model and activist

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

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The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

—Audrey Hepburn, actress and humanitarian


Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

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Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

Helen Keller, author, activist and lecturer


Each of us will have to make the choices that allow us to be the largest versions of ourselves.

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Each of us will have to make the choices that allow us to be the largest versions of ourselves.

—Julia Alvarez, Dominican-American poet, novelist and essayist


Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations can never effect a reform.

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Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations can never effect a reform. 

—Susan B. Anthony, social reformer and women’s rights activist


True peace...suggests the triumph of justice and love among men; it reveals the existence of a better world where harmony reigns.

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True peace…suggests the triumph of justice and love among men; it reveals the existence of a better world where harmony reigns.

—Maria Montessori, Italian physician and educator

Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.

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Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.

Mary Oliver, Pulitzer prize-winning poet


"Thank you" is the best prayer anyone could say. I say that one a lot. "Thank you" expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

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“Thank you” is the best prayer anyone could say. I say that one a lot. “Thank you” expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

—Alice Walker, Writer, Poet and Social Activist


Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

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Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. 

Corrie ten Boom, writer and watchmaker

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