This International Women’s Day 2018, we celebrate the strength, beauty and courage of inspiring women who dared to walk the path less traveled so other courageous women could do the same.
Here are quotes from women who are exceptionally inspiring in their fields of work:
Lupita was the first Kenyan actress to be nominated and awarded at the Oscars for her work in 12 Years A Slave.
The Black Panther star later went on to become a beauty icon who championed for diversity and acceptance in society for people everywhere.
“I discovered that joy is not the negation of pain, but rather acknowledging the presence of pain and feeling happiness in spite of it.”
– Lupita for Essence Magazine
Hillary went up against Donald Trump in the 2016 American elections and despite losing, Hillary was proven to have won the hearts of many when it was revealed that she had won the popular vote.
“Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.”
– Hillary Clinton for Living History
2017 was an incredible year for Beyonce. She gave birth to twins and despite how 2016 was the year she worked through marital problems, she’s come out stronger and better than before.
“When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.”
– Beyonce
The Nobel Peace Prize winner was a victim of Taliban militant violence in her home country of Pakistan. Despite this, Malala continued to be an activist for female education in her home country.
“I had two options. One was to remain silent and never to speak and then to be killed by the terrorists. The second option was to speak up for my rights and then die. And I chose the second one.”
– Malala Yousafzai
While her husband Bill, is a household name, Melinda isn’t very far behind. In 2016, the philanthropist said that she’ll be working to get more women in the field of technology and innovation. “We’re graduating fewer women technologists. That is not good for society. We have to change it,” she famously said.
“I tell my daughters to have their voice in this world, and it became clear I needed to role-model that.”
– Melinda Gates
The fashion designer might have royal lineage but she’s never rested on her laurels.
“My mother told me that fear was no an option. I was always told that women are stronger, so I believed it.”
– Diane Von Furstenberg
No list on empowering women could be complete without Michelle Obama. America’s former first lady took her national duties seriously and tirelessly fought to create change for children. She famously introduced the Let’s Move! Initiative to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in America.
“Let’s be very clear: Strong men — men who are truly role models — don’t need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.”
– Michelle Obama
The tennis legend recently announced that she’ll be returning to the tennis court soon but critics have already started to question whether she’ll actually be able to smash titles the way she used to.
Despite this, the superstar athlete has said that she’s ready to come back and redefine expectations.
“I don’t like to lose — at anything… Yet I’ve grown most not from victories, but setbacks.”
– Serena Williams