‘That’s What They Said’ : 15 Quotes by Influential Women around the world

May 02, 2017:

1. "When I'm tired, I rest. I say, I can't be a superwoman today." – Jada Pinkett Smith (American actress)

A woman has boundless responsibilities to fulfil and of course, every woman is a superwoman in her life. It takes strength, fortitude, and an indomitable spirit to be a woman and thus it is okay to take a break once a while and rest.

2. "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." –Anaïs Nin (Essayist and Memoirist)

The thought is evoking and empowering in the absolute sense. Do that one thing that scares you every day. Do not tighten yourself in a bud rather blossom like a flower. Sometimes you will find yourself in a moment that will tickle your nerves and throb your heart. Prepare yourself of the bruises that will come your way. Step out of your comfort and see the world through a different perspective.

3. "Women asking for raises should not only know their value, but they should ask with the confidence that they're helping the company to be successful." –Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Accessing your self-worth is as valuable as the position you hold in a company. There is no harm in asking for raises, you should know your contribution is equally important to the men in the company. There shall be no mayhem in confidence of a woman in soliciting for her share.

4. "Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for." – Jennifer Lopez (American Singer)

4. Jennifer Lopez, Twitter

A woman should be aware of her potentials. If only you will not realise your true potential, how will you expect others to make it certain for you? It is absolutely right to say that doubt is a killer of a person's potential.

5. "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim." – Nora Ephron (American journalist)

There may come boundless hardships in life that a woman has to face, in spite of being petrified and victimised, strive to be a fighter in your life. Succumbing to victimisation will only make you a source of pity and nothing else however if you switch to heroism in your life, you will find yourself evolving stronger.

6. "Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation." –Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of US)

The quote is by the famous Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg who is a glass ceiling breaker, avid questioner, and millennial sensation. She emphasised on gender equality when she was asked to identify the major barrier in the way of equality for women.

7. "When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed nor welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive." – Audre Lorde (writer, feminist)

Audre cajoles the student to imagine what it means to live in a culture where to speak is equivalent brutal punishment – imprisonment, death, torture. Can this fear be understood solely as shyness or an expression of deeply constructed norms against owning one's words? She urges to participate in the global struggle to fight against domination and break the silence with speech.

8. "A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done." –Marge Piercy (American poet)

Initially, when a woman is determined to do something she finds rejection and resistance from the society. There will be doubters on her way to tell her that it can't be done or that it won't work out. The strength of a woman is realised only when she overlook the notions of people around her and succeeds. And that's when you become a strong woman.

9. "I may be wearing makeup, but I can throw a fastball by you at the same time." –Jennie Finch (right-handed softball pitcher)

It is redundant to say that women wearing makeup are not worth playing sports or lack efficiency. A woman can equally play fiercely while her makeup on so any judgment on the basis of outer appearance is abandoned and overrated.

10. Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create. – Oprah Winfrey (talk show host, actress)

Holding back to resentments will lead you nowhere but in the past only. Oprah urges women to step out of the woeful past and create a new story for her.

11. 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 (American politician and diplomat)

In today's world, it is impertinent to be vocal and develop a voice of your own. Unless you can't voice your opinion and firm your stance in the world, you will no longer be heard or seen.

12. "I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say yes, women can." – Dilma Rousseff (Brazilian economist and politician)

Dilma Rousseff presents the harsh reality of the present world. Many times, it is the father and mother of a female child who impedes the growth of her. The change should begin with the home itself, it is only when the parents of a girl child will stand up and say, 'yes… my girl can. A woman can" – that day will make a huge difference in a woman's life. As parents, it is your responsibility to show faith in a girl child foremost before anything else.

13. "Power's not given to you. You have to take it." –Beyoncé Knowles Carter (American singer)

There comes a point in life when you have to "Take it" voluntarily and not wait for the power to be presented to you. You will have to speak up, speak out and share your brilliance with the world. Let everyone know what you are capable of and what can you achieve. Stop waiting for green signals or a tap on the shoulder, do the needful before the circumstances knock you down.

14. "I didn't get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it." – Estée Lauder (American businesswoman)

You can have everything you want if you work for it – the quote is absolute in all the sense. Nothing comes your way easily until you step out of way to make things happen. We often hope for the good things to happen to us and get nothing in the end. Amidst of hoping and wishing for great things to come to us, we seldom realise the importance of work.

15. If I stop to kick every barking dog I am not going to get where I'm going. – Jackie Joyner-Kersee ( American track and field athlete)

15. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Wikimedia

Your journey may be full of people constantly trying their best to bring you down, but if you halt at every end of these people, you will never be able to cross the journey. In order to be successful, you must learn to ignore such people and lead the walk of an elephant before these barking dogs.

– by Naina Mishra of Newsgram, Twitter: Nainamishr94