105 Strong Women Quotes to Celebrate Feminine Power

For decades women have fought for the right to vote, as well as for political, professional and social equality. Female leaders have sacrificed, bled, marched and pushed for changes not only in their own lives, but for changes in the lives of their daughters and granddaughters. So many strong women have led the charge, and were able to create armies of young and hopeful females to follow in their footsteps for years to come. Their passion burned brighter with each generation, but although it has been a long fight with great outcomes, it isn’t over yet. 

In many countries little girls are still taught that their only goal in life is to become a good wife and mother. Not that there’s anything wrong with that choice! But some still grow up with the belief that they are weak, that they shouldn’t speak up, and that a young girl can’t make a difference.  

But we know better. Ambition isn’t only for men, and sometimes a hell raiser with two X chromosomes can turn into a phenomenal woman, their own person, and someone that can take actions that reverberate for generations to come. And of course, you know that behind every strong man is usually always a strong woman! So enjoy the following quotes, and find the strong women quote that reverberates best with you!

Quotes for a strong woma

To be a strong woman, you need to have a lot of patience and perseverance. A strong woman also exudes confidence and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. But these are not genetic traits. Every woman builds her strength and confidence over time, while facing various life challenges and learning from past mistakes.

We are all unique and go through different experiences. At the end of the day, strong women are not only those who have built a successful career -- life is about so much more than that. Every woman who is able to deal with her own challenges is a strong woman.

However, if you’re still wonder wondering  ‘what is a strong woman’ or ‘how to be a strong woman’, we hope the following inspirational quotes for women will answer all your questions.

We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.

– KAVITA RAMDAS

A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.

-  MELINDA GATES

She may be broken for a while, but that’s ok. She’s working on her, cause she’s not one to leave a mess lying around.

- JMSTORM

She raised me to not think of men and women as different. She raised me without gender. It's kind of the reason she named me Billie. It's not about being a strong woman - it's about being a strong person.

- BILLIE LOURD

I like to think that I represent myself as a strong woman, so to work with other strong women I find very inspiring.

- ANNABELLE WALLIS

I look up to a strong woman; maybe that's why I fell for Gaga. She works incredibly hard and is very strong and inspirational like Mom, with a great work ethic.

- TAYLOR KINNEY

I think it's important to be that strong woman and to follow your passions regardless of what your situation is.

- AYESHA CURRY

I am done looking for love where it doesn’t exist. I am done coughing up dust in attempts to drink from dry wells.

― MAGGIE YOUNG

No woman who had been intimate with a god was easily disturbed.

― MICHAEL CADNUM

Beautiful princesses and beautiful, strong queens are brainwashed into thinking ho’s and B****’s are virtuous titles.

― DELANO JOHNSON

Standing in front of him I wipe his liquid from the corner of my mouth and stare deeply. I can see the panic in his eyes. I can smell his fear, deep, rich and growing, and for the first time tonight I’m actually aroused.

― DENNIS SHARPE

In writing, a good guy must never break any of the Ten Commandments. A bad guy must break every one. That's why writing female characters is so much fun. They're not GUYS at all.

― KIMBERLY BLACK

Lonely is when you're being abused and, sadly, no-one believes you because you're a 'strong' woman.

― MITTA XININDLU

She wears strength and darkness equally well, The girl has always been half goddess half hell.

― NIKITA GILL

It's not my words that you should fear, but my silence. My words speak straight to the core but my absence will leave you speechless.

― NIKKI ROWE

As an independent woman, you are not defined by your partners or your parents. You are defined by you. - STRONG: Powerful Philosophy for Timeless Thoughts by Kailin Gow.

― KAILIN GOW

Because you are a strong, smart girl and I don’t want you to lose any bit of yourself, ever. No man is worth that.

― AMANDA PROWSE

Don't look at her and feel intimidated. Approach her with decision and tell her 'You are the type of women I want to see myself with, someday.'

― EFRAT CYBULKIEWICZ

Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over.

- BELLA ABZUG

She was a wild one; always stomping on eggshells that everyone else tip-toed on.

- KAITLIN FOSTER

Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.

- ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (more Eleanor Roosevelt quotes)

Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.

- OPRAH WINFREY

God is within her, she will not fall.

- PSALM 46:5

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 we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.

- MARIE CURIE (more Marie Curie quotes)

Strong women don’t play the victim. Don’t make themselves look pitiful and don’t point fingers. They stand and they deal.

- MANDY HALE

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.

- DIANE MARIECHILD

You don’t have to play masculine to be a strong woman.

- MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD

A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.

- MELINDA GATES

A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done.

- MARGE PIERCY

She was powerful not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.

- ATTICUS

I like to play a strong woman, but a strong woman can also be very fragile and vulnerable at the same time.

- CARICE VAN HOUTEN

A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.

- CARLY SIMON

Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses.

- MADAME MARIE DU DEFFAND

The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will.

- AMY TENNEY

You can tell who the strong women are. They are the ones you see building one another up instead of tearing each other down.

- UNKNOWN

Strong women are often misperceived as cold and mean simply because they refuse to be disrespected, mistreated or taken for granted.

- UNKNOWN

Strong women need not declare they can carry all the burdens in life. They just quietly do it and survive with a smile.

- UNKNOWN

Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.

- NANCY PELOSI

Inspirational quotes for women

Women are a force to be reckoned with. They have proved time and time again that they are just as capable as men are. They can become successful in every field they chose to work, be it engineering, business, medicine or academics.  

Still, some of the ladies could use a dose of inspiring quotes, just to remind themselves that they can overcome any life challenge. A good quote can help you strengthen your confidence and remind you that you can become an inspiration yourself for your children and others around you.

If you are wondering what are the most empowering and inspirational women quotes, check out our list below. We hope that these motivational quotes for women will encourage you to become the best version of yourself.

What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.

- MAYA ANGELOU (more inspirational quotes for women)

Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.

- ANGELINA JOLIE

The biggest compliment I get is when someone tells me, 'You're so real.' Even if my journey isn't exactly like theirs.

- TAMRON HALL

Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.

- ZIAD K. ABDELNOUR

Whenever you see a successful woman, look out for three men who are going out of their way to try to block her.

– YULIA TYMOSHENKO

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.

– J. K. ROWLING (more inspirational quotes for women)

Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.

- MICHELLE OBAMA

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

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions.

— CATHERINE COOK

Women have discovered that they cannot rely on men’s chivalry to give them justice.

– HELEN KELLER

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

– MAYA ANGELOU

It’s possible to climb to the top without stomping on other people. 

– TAYLOR SWIFT

Think like a queen. A queen if not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.

- OPRAH WINFREY

If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.

- MARGARET THATCHER (more inspirational quotes for women)

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.

- ROSEANNE BARR

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

A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.

- ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Women have always been the strong ones of the world. The men are always seeking from women a little pillow to put their heads down on. They are always longing for the mother who held them as infants.

- COCO CHANEL

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

- AUDRE LORDE

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

- MAYA ANGELOU

Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry.

- GLORIA STEINEM

A good woman inspires a man, a brilliant woman interests him, a beautiful woman fascinates him, but a sympathetic woman gets him.

- HELEN ROWLAND

I figure, if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one.

–CALAMITY JANE

Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. There is no yesterday, no tomorrow, it’s all the same day.

–JANIS JOPLIN

One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go.

– SHEILA MURRAY BETHEL

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

- ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.

- MAYA ANGELOU

Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.

- NORA EPHRON (more Nora Ephron quotes)

Be a first-rate version of yourself, not a second-rate version of someone else.

- JUDY GARLAND

Some women choose to follow men, and some choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that you career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.

- LADY GAGA

Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be. 

- ELIZABETH GILBERT

One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go.

- SHEILA MURRAY BETHEL

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

Powerful women quotes

International Women’s Day comes every year on the 8th of March. That being said, you don’t need to wait until then to celebrate women. They can inspire and motivate you every day of the year and just as often you can take some time to show your appreciation towards them, whether you are a man or a woman yourself.

If you are out of ideas and don’t know what to write on a card or in a social media post, use our list of strong independent woman quotes to gain some inspiration. We’re sure you’ll find something fit for every special lady in your life. And if you're a woman, use these quotes as your own daily dose of inspiration.

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.

– MARGARET THATCHER

There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.

- MADELEINE ALBRIGHT

I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man. I've just done what I damn well wanted to, and I've made enough money to support myself, and ain't afraid of being alone.

- KATHARINE HEPBURN

There are much more important qualities to have than a docile disposition.

― C.J. REDWINE

Not many women got to live out the daydream of women—to have a room, even a section of a room, that only gets messed up when she messes it up herself.

― MAXINE HONG KINGSTON

The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.

― AYN RAND

All the privilege I claim for my own sex, is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone.

― JANE AUSTEN

If becoming an old maid was my path, then at least I'd enjoy my damn job.

― DEVNEY PERRY

In a rare moment of self-awareness, the young woman even understood that her dependence was probably unhealthy. Henry, she declared, was a man 'whom I love too much for my peace.

― NANCY RUBIN STUART

I don't see why a maid should take a husband when she's bold enough to fight her own battles.

― THOMAS HARDY

The smartest thing a woman can ever learn is to never need a man.

― CHICHA BANS

I wanted to be an independent woman, a woman who could pay for her bills, a woman who could run her own life - and I became that woman.

- DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

I like being a strong, independent woman, and to be honest, I was never afraid to be on my own.

-  DIDO ARMSTRONG

I was raised to be an independent woman, not the victim of anything.

-  KAMALA HARRIS

There was a time when men thought it was sexy to have a housewife waiting for him to come home from work in her slippers, but in modern society, I think an independent woman is even more sexy.

- KAT GRAHAM

I think men are afraid to be with a successful woman, because we are terribly strong, we know what we want and we are not fragile enough.

- SHIRLEY BASSEY

Be that strong girl that everyone knew would make it through the worst, be that fearless girl, the one who would dare to do anything, be that independent girl who didn’t need a man; be that girl who never backed down.

- TAYLOR SWIFT

Until they come up with an independent woman who's on an adventure of her own, I don't think I'm interested.

-MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.

- DIANE MARIECHILD

Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror.

- BRYON KATIE

You will manage to keep a woman in love with you only for as long as you can keep her in love with the person she becomes when she is with you.

- C. JOYBELL C.

Woman is the dominant sex. Men have to do all sorts of stuff to prove that they are worth of woman's attention.

- CAMILLE PAGLIA

A girl doesn't need anyone who doesn't need her.

-MARILYN MONROE

He asked 'What's your favorite position?' I said CEO.

-LAUREN CONRAD

A busy, vibrant, goal-oriented woman is so much more attractive than a woman who waits around for a man to validate her existence.

- MANDY HALE

A woman should be like a single flower, not a whole bouquet.

- ANNA HELD

Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.

- CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE (more Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quotes)

I think women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men, they are far superior and always have been.

- WILLIAM GOLDING

I’m tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a b***h, okay.

- MADONNA

I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all.

- COCO CHANEL (more Coco Chanel quotes)

Do not live someone else's life and someone else's idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you. Womanhood is everything that's inside of you.

- VIOLA DAVIS

Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be, how much you can love, what you can accomplish, and what your potential is.

- ANNE FRANK (more Anne Frank quotes)

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.

- MARGARET THATCHER (more Margaret Thatcher quotes)

I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind learning.

- AMY POEHLER