47 Inspirational Quotes by Women for Women

In a world that constantly tells women we’re not enough, it’s important to rally around each other and remind each other of our worth. Here are 47 quotes by some of the most inspiring women in history to help you do just that. Read on for some words of wisdom, strength and encouragement! And don’t forget to share your favorite quote with the powerful women in your life.

1. “I don’t like to lose — at anything — yet I’ve grown most not from victories, but setbacks.” – Serena Williams
2. “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman, But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” – Melinda Gates
3. “When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” — Oprah Winfrey
4. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker
5. “With a positive attitude, you can be anything you want to be.” — Selena
6. “There is no one on the planet to compare with moi.” — Miss Piggy
7.  “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.” – Janis Joplin
8. “I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” – Misty Copeland
9. “I don’t think there’s any one way to live that’s the right way. I just think there are more and less enlightened ways of living.” — Katie Couric
10. “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for.” – Dolores Huerta
11. “Success doesn’t happen by accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrifice, and most importantly loving what you are doing and learning.” — Arianna Huffington
12. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” — Mary Kay Ash
13. “I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard. Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.” — Shonda Rhimes
14. “We can do hard things.” — Glennon Doyle
15. “I got my start by giving myself a start.” — Madam CJ Walker
16. “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” — Sara Blakely
17. “Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez
18. The road to success is always under construction.” — Lily Tomlin
19. “The most significant successes come from letting your light shine, embracing failure, and getting good at being wrong.” Stacey Abrams
20. “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” — Ginni Rometty
21. “Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.” – Vera Wang
22. “There is nothing like a concrete life plan to weigh you down. Because if you always have one eye on some future goal, you stop paying attention to the job at hand, miss opportunities that might arise, and stay fixedly on one path, even when a better, newer course might have opened up.” — Indra K. Nooyi
23. “I think the key is for women not to set any limits.” – Martina Navratilova
24. “At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” — Frida Kahlo
25. “Stick to your true north― build greatness for the long term.” ― Ruth Porat
26. “Bitch Better Have My Money” — Rihanna
27.  “My best successes came on the heels of failures.” – Barbara Corcoran
28. “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” — Michelle Obama
29. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King
30. “I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” — Beyoncé
31. “Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
32. “You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.” – Nina Simone
33. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” — Marianne Williamson
34. “I don’t measure myself by others’ expectations or let others define my worth.” — Sonia Sotomayor
35. “It was when I realized I needed to stop trying to be somebody else and be myself, I actually started to own, accept and love what I had.” — Tracee Ellis Ross
36. “Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us” — Angela Bassett
37. “If you prioritize yourself, you are going to save yourself.” — Gabrielle Union
38. “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” — Simone Biles
39. “Don’t let anyone steal your joy! There’s always someone miserable trying to bring you down … you just wish them well & proceed on enjoying your life.” — Missy Elliott
40. “Life is tough, and if you have the ability to laugh at it, you have the ability to enjoy it.” — Salma Hyek
41. “Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming after all, is a form of planning.” – Gloria Steinem
42. “No matter how different women are, we all seem to share the guilt that we’re not doing enough. If anything, I would say that as long as you’re doing your best, it’s more than enough.” — Jessica Alba
43. “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
44. “Knock me down nine times, but I get up ten.” — Cardi B
45. “Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a great career.” – Meg Whitman
46. “If we can learn to deal with our discomfort and just relax into it we’ll have a better life.” – Mellody Hobson
47. “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” – Barbara Corcoran

We hope you enjoyed these inspiring quotes by women as much as we did! Whether you are just starting out in your career, or are a seasoned professional, these words of wisdom will help motivate and encourage you to keep pushing for more in your life. For more motivation & inspiration, follow our Pinterest board or subscribe to our newsletter.