essay for strong woman

Essay on Women Empowerment for Students and Children

500+ words essay on women empowerment.

Women empowerment refers to making women powerful to make them capable of deciding for themselves. Women have suffered a lot through the years at the hands of men. In earlier centuries, they were treated as almost non-existent. As if all the rights belonged to men even something as basic as voting. As the times evolved, women realized their power. There on began the revolution for women empowerment.

As women were not allowed to make decisions for them, women empowerment came in like a breath of fresh air. It made them aware of their rights and how they must make their own place in society rather than depending on a man. It recognized the fact that things cannot simply work in someone’s favor because of their gender. However, we still have a long way to go when we talk about the reasons why we need it.

Need for Women Empowerment

Almost every country, no matter how progressive has a history of ill-treating women. In other words, women from all over the world have been rebellious to reach the status they have today. While the western countries are still making progress, third world countries like India still lack behind in Women Empowerment.

Moreover, the education and freedom scenario is very regressive here. Women are not allowed to pursue higher education, they are married off early. The men are still dominating women in some regions like it’s the woman’s duty to work for him endlessly. They do not let them go out or have freedom of any kind.

In addition, domestic violence is a major problem in India. The men beat up their wife and abuse them as they think women are their property. More so, because women are afraid to speak up. Similarly, the women who do actually work get paid less than their male counterparts. It is downright unfair and sexist to pay someone less for the same work because of their gender. Thus, we see how women empowerment is the need of the hour. We need to empower these women to speak up for themselves and never be a victim of injustice .

How to Empower Women?

There are various ways in how one can empower women. The individuals and government must both come together to make it happen. Education for girls must be made compulsory so that women can become illiterate to make a life for themselves.

Women must be given equal opportunities in every field, irrespective of gender. Moreover, they must also be given equal pay. We can empower women by abolishing child marriage. Various programs must be held where they can be taught skills to fend for themselves in case they face financial crisis .

Most importantly, the shame of divorce and abuse must be thrown out of the window. Many women stay in abusive relationships because of the fear of society. Parents must teach their daughters it is okay to come home divorced rather than in a coffin.

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Essay on Women Empowerment in English

• Updated on  
• May 3, 2024

Women empowerment is one of the most debated social topics. It means recognising the importance of gender equality, and women’s participation in decision-making and offering them equal opportunities in education, employment, others. Women empowerment talks about making women strong so that they can lead a healthy and prosperous life and contribute to the development of society. Today we will be discussing some sample essay on women empowerment, which will cover details like how can eliminate discrimination against women, challenge traditional gender roles, and promote equal opportunities for women in various aspects of life.

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Quick Read: Speech About Dreams

Long Essay on Women’s Empowerment

“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Women empowerment refers to the practice of making women independent so that they can make their own decisions and take decisions without any familial or societal restrictions. In simple terms, it entitles women to take charge of their personal development. The patriarchal society has always deprived women of their rights.

The main motive of women’s empowerment is to help them stand equally with men. It is a foundational step to ensure the prosperous growth of a family as well as the country. By empowering women, the world would witness gender equality and help women from every stratum of society stand on their own and steer their lives as per their wishes.

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Women empowerment is the process of giving women the ability to live a happy and respected life in society. Women are empowered when they have unrestricted access to chances in a range of domains, such as education, profession, and lifestyle, among others. It involves things like education, awareness, literacy, and training to help them improve their position. It also involves decision-making authority. A woman feels powerful when she makes a significant decision. Empowering women is the most important factor in a country’s overall growth. If a household has just one earning member, while another family has both men and women earning, who will have a better standard of living? The solution is straightforward: a household in which both men and women work. As a result, a country where men and women work together grows more quickly.

‘Feminism does not aim to make women powerful. Women are already powerful. It is about influencing the way the rest of the world views your strength.” Women have always had fewer opportunities and possibilities to develop their talents and knowledge since ancient times. Although the world is made up of both men and women. But men were regarded as the family’s most powerful members. They were the family’s decision-makers and were in charge of making a living. Women, on the other hand, were believed to be responsible person for all home chores and child-rearing, and they were not engaged in making any important family decisions. The roles were assigned depending on gender. If we look at the whole picture, research shows that women’s subjects are either centred on their reproductive role and their body, or their economic position as workers. However, none of them is aimed at empowering women. Women’s Empowerment is a progressive technique of putting power in the hands of women for them to have a happy and respectable existence in society. Women are empowered when they have access to opportunities in several sectors, such as the right to an education, gender equality, a professional (equal wage) lifestyle, and others. However, there are no constraints or limitations. It involves training, awareness, and increasing their position via education, literacy, and decision-making authority. For the total growth of each country, women’s empowerment is the most essential sector. Previously, the men were the sole breadwinners in the household. Assume the household has one earning person; on the other side, suppose the family has both male and women earning members. Who will have a better way of life? The answer is simple: a household in which both the man and the woman work. As a result, when gender equality is prioritized, a country’s growth rate accelerates. Standing up for equality, women have empowered and spoken up for other women.’

Essay on Women Empowerment in 200 Words

‘Women’s empowerment encompasses more than just ensuring that women get their basic rights. In its truest form, women’s empowerment comprises the aspects of independence, equality as well as freedom of expression. Through this, the real strive lies in ensuring that we bring gender equality.

When given the right support, women have shone brilliantly in every field. Even in India, we have seen women handle diverse roles, be it a Prime Minister, Astronaut , Entrepreneur, Banker and much more. Further, women are also considered the backbone of a family. From domestic chores to nurturing children, they handle multiple responsibilities. This is why they are great at multitasking and often many working women efficiently juggle between professional and personal responsibilities. While the urban cities have working women, the rural areas have still restrained them to household chores. How can we aspire to prosper as a nation where every girl does not get access to education or make their own choices? India is a country where we worship goddesses while we don’t bother thinking about gender equality. 

Hence, for all our mothers, sisters and daughters we must aim at creating an environment of integrity. We must boost their confidence to make them capable enough to make their decisions in every phase of life and this is how we can strive towards bringing women empowerment.’

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Popular women can play an important role when it comes to empowering other women. These influential women are aware of the difficulties faced by women in our society and can see their problems from their perspectives, as they have experienced similar situations. Nadia Murad Basee, a German human rights activist once said, “I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine.” Some other popular and influential women in the world are:

• Gloria Marie Steinem
• Malala Yousafzai
• Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• Jane Seymour Fonda
• Betty Friedan
• Halima Aden

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Almost all countries, regardless of how progressive, have a history of mistreating women. To put it another way, women from all over the world have been defiant to achieve their current standing. While Western nations continue to make progress, third-world countries such as India continue to lag in terms of women’s empowerment. Women’s empowerment is more important than ever in India. India is one of the countries where women are not safe. This is due to a variety of factors.

Not only that, but horrific crimes against women such as rape, acid attacks, the dowry system, honour killings, domestic violence, and other forms of violence against women continue to occur throughout India. Women should account for 50% of the entire population. However, due to female foeticide practises, which are still prevailing in the rural and underprivileged sections of Indian societies, the girl-child population is rapidly declining, affecting the country’s sex ratio. Furthermore, the education and freedom scenario is extremely regressive in this situation.

Women are not permitted to continue their education and are married off at a young age. In certain areas, men continue to dominate women, as though it is the woman’s responsibility to labour for him indefinitely. They don’t let them go out or have any form of freedom and personal life. As a result, we can see how women’s empowerment is a pressing issue. We must equip these women with the tools they need to stand up for themselves and never be victims of injustice.

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There is a wide range of approaches and methods to empower women. Individuals and the government must work together to achieve this. Girls’ education should be made obligatory so that they do not become illiterate and unable to support themselves.

Women, regardless of gender, must be given equal chances in all fields. Women empowerment may also be achieved through government-sponsored programmes as well as on an individual level.

On a personal level, we should begin to appreciate women and provide them with chances equal to males. We should promote and encourage them to pursue jobs, further education, and entrepreneurial endeavours, among other things.

To empower women, the government has implemented programmes such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Mahila Shakti Kendra, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana , and others. Apart from these programmes, we can all help women by eradicating societal problems such as the dowry system and child marriage. These simple actions will improve women’s status in society and help them feel more powerful.

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“To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” Hillary Clinton

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“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

Before we begin with the essay samples on Women’s Empowerment, take a look at the following tips you must keep in mind while drafting an essay: 

• Analyse the different topics carefully and pick according to your knowledge and familiarisation with the topic.  
• Plan your time wisely and bifurcate it for outlining, writing and revision. 
• Highlight/underline your key sentences for each paragraph.
• Emphasise your introduction and conclusion while also keeping the main body of the content as concise as possible. 
• Thoroughly revise it after completion.

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“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” G.D. Anderson

Women are taught to mould themselves based on others’ preferences and men are taught to lead because, at the end of the day, women have to manage household chores whereas men are the heroes saving their families and providing them financial support. This is the stereotype that has existed for centuries in India and one of the reasons women are denied basic human rights in society. A woman is denied the right to raise her opinions even in her household matters, political or financial viewpoints are far behind.  Women are born leaders and if given the opportunity can excel in every field. We live in a male-dominated society where a male has every right to do whatever he desires however thought in women’s minds is sacred. For centuries, women were not allowed to eat before men or sit in front of other men. Gender equality and women empowerment is a major concern globally. Gender equality starts with providing the same and equal resources of education to both genders. Education of girl child should also be a priority and not just an option. An educated woman will be able to build a better life for herself and the ones surrounding her. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for the growth of women in society. Women empowerment ensures that every female gets an opportunity to get an education, seek professional training, and spread awareness. However, gender quality will ensure that access to resources is provided equally to both genders and ensure equal participation. Even at the professional level women face gender inequality because a male candidate is promoted way before a female candidate. The mindset should be changed and only deserving candidates should be promoted. Gender quality is a key step towards sustainable development and ensures basic human rights for everyone.

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“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” Melinda Gates

‘Education is the biggest tool in women’s empowerment and also a factor that helps in the overall development of the country. Education can bring a change in women’s life. As the first prime minister of India once said “If you educate a man you educate an individual, however, if you educate a woman you educate a whole family.

Women empowered means mother India empowered” An educated woman will promote the education of other females around her, mentor them and also be a better guide to her children. Education helps women gain self-confidence, esteem, ability to provide financial support. Education will also help to reduce the infant mortality rate because an educated woman is aware of health care, laws, and her rights.

Educating a woman will benefit her and also the development of society. With proper education, women can achieve more socially, and economically and build their careers. Women are still being denied their right to education in rural parts of India. Education will also reduce child marriage which is still practised in some parts of India also help in controlling overpopulation.

The government has launched various schemes over the years to create awareness around women’s education such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , Operation Black-Board , Beti Padhaoo Beti Bachao , and many more. Education helps women to identify the good and bad and change their outlook, way of thinking, and way of handling things. Education helps women to become independent. Indian women have the lowest literacy rate as compared to other countries.

Education is a fundamental right of all and no one should be denied the right to education. Education helps to meet the necessities of life, and confidence to raise a voice against domestic violence or sexual harassment. Be a part of a change and empower a woman with the help of education.’

Here is an Essay on Education System

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Michelle Obama

Women have been facing issues since the day they were born. Fighting for their rights, society’s stereotypes, and their freedom. Women’s Empowerment means encouraging women through education, at a professional level, accepting their opinions, and providing them with the right they desire. Women should not stay behind someone’s shadow and not be able to express themselves. The main motive of women’s empowerment is to give women a chance to outshine others and get equal rights in society. The first step of women’s empowerment is literacy. A well-educated woman is confident, outspoken, and able to make decisions. Especially in a country like India, If women get a chance to study they can be a prime minister like Indira Gandhi, IPS like Kiran Bedi , or become a famous CEO like Indira Nooyi .

The need for women’s empowerment has existed for a long time but only in the last few years, it has become popular. Women’s empowerment is not just a fight for equal rights. Women empowerment is the upliftment of women from a society constantly pulling them down. In a country like India where female goddesses are worshipped at the same time a woman faces sexual harassment, is denied the right to education, her voice is suppressed and becomes the next case of domestic violence. Indian society will only be able to evolve when they stop putting constant pressure on women and allow them to share their thoughts with others. A woman in India is restricted to household chores and taking care of family members. Women’s Empowerment is the need of the hour in India because awareness among women is important for them to understand their rights. If they are aware of their basic rights only then women will be able to fight for it. The first step towards women’s empowerment starts with supporting their opinions. Don’t mock them or bury their opinions. Boost their confidence and build their self-esteem. Encourage them to pursue their dreams, provide resources for help and be their mentor. Women have the ability not only to shape their lives but also to shape the world. Equal opportunities and the right to make their own decisions are the basics to start with women’s empowerment.

Women’s empowerment is desperately required in today’s cultures. It is critical for women’s self-esteem as well as for society. Women have the right to participate equally in education, society, the economy, and politics. Women may participate in society because they have the freedom to select their religion, language, employment, and other activities.

Women’s Empowerment is the process of providing women with all of the rights and amenities available in society so that they can live freely and without fear or limitation. Women should be granted the same rights as men in society, with no gender discrimination.

Female or women empowerment, according to Keshab Chandra Mandal, may be classified into five categories: social, educational, economic, political, and psychological.

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a collection of Principles that provide businesses with direction on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

Improved female education leads to higher levels of economic growth because women spend 90%of their earnings back on their families, whereas males only invest 30-40% of their earnings. This is only one example of how women’s empowerment has a beneficial impact. Like this, there are several other benefits and positive sides of women’s empowerment

Gender Discrimination, Sexual Abuse and Harassment, Education, Child Marriage, etc.

Great social reformers in the past like  Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Acharya Vinobha Bhave and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar  etc abolished ghastly practices like sati and child marriage and worked relentlessly in the past for the upliftment of women in India.

Equal pay, financial independence etc are some examples of women empowerment.

In the Indian constitution, many provisions include women empowerment such as Article 15 which enables the state to make special provisions for women.

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This was all about an essay on women empowerment. We hope the above-listed essays will help you understand all dimensions of this important essay topic. For more information on such creative essay articles, visit our essay writing page and make sure to follow Leverage Edu .

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

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The internet can be a dark and, quite often, violent place for women — many of whom are subjected to trolling, harassment, and threats on a daily basis. But it can also be a truly wonderful place, one that provides free access to news, educational resources, entertainment, communication, and wealth of incredible writing — including these empowering essays by women you can read online right now . Written by Cecile Richards, Lindy West, Lady Gaga, and more, these essays are filled with inspiration and wisdom to guide you through your day.

For female readers, the online world can sometimes feel like a minefield, one that is littered with destructive words meant to tear women down or shut them up. But for famous authors and writers, beloved celebrities, and popular athletes, it can also serve as the perfect platform to share their empowering stories, which often include plenty of inspirational anecdotes and practical advice that makes the whole mess of the internet worth it.

Whether you’re looking for a bit of guidance in your own life, or hoping to inspire your friends with some sage advice from more experienced women, here are nine empowering essays you can read for free online right now .

"The Most Daring Women Don’t Always Make Headlines" by Cecile Richards

"Today, women across this country are doing her proud. The earth is shifting under the force of millions of women standing up for themselves, for each other, for their daughters and their mothers and sisters," writes the former president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund Cecile Richards in her inspiring piece about women and activism for Harper's Bazaar . "Women are no longer asking for permission. They’re just diving in and taking risks. They know we can’t afford to sit this one out."

Read the full essay here .

"Rebranding Motherhood" by Diksha Basu

"If anything, so far being a mother feels quite delightfully self-indulgent. I have a daughter in whom I can constantly look for and find little bits of myself or, better yet, improved bits of myself," writes Windfall author Dikashu Basu in a moving essay for The New York Times about redefining motherhood. "Recently a construction worker called out to me on the street in Lower Manhattan and I got my angry anti-catcalling face ready to respond but he very respectfully said, 'You have a beautiful daughter, ma’am.' My vanity now has two bodies within which to reside — the sacrifice looks more like narcissism from certain angles."

Read the full essay here.

"This Is Survival" by Aly Raisman

In a heartbreaking but incredibly powerful essay for The Players' Tribune , American gymnast Aly Raisman opens up about her experience with sexual abuse, and offers some words of encouragement to anyone else who has gone through the same thing. "I am not a victim. I am a survivor. The abuse does not define me, or anyone else who has been abused. This does not define the millions of those who’ve suffered sexual abuse," the two-time Olympian writes. "They are not victims, either. They are survivors. They are strong, they are brave, they are changing things so the next generation never has to go through what they did."

"What I Learned at War" by Tammy Duckworth

Senator Tammy Duckworth has often spoken out about her time serving in the U.S. army, including in this persuasive essay about the price of war and what it can teach us that she wrote for Politico. "That day, I lost both of my legs, but I was given a second chance at life," she writes, recounting her experience fighting in the Iraq War. "It’s a feeling that has helped to drive me in my second chance at service—no one should be left behind, and every American deserves another chance."

"The 'Perfect Body' Is a Lie. I Believed It For a Long Time and Let It Shrink My Life" by Lindy West

If you have read Lindy West's memoir Shrill , you know that she has a lot of incredibly insightful things to say fat acceptance and body positivity. In an essay for The Guardian, she shares some of them, saying "The 'perfect body' is a lie. I believed in it for a long time, and I let it shape my life, and shrink it – my real life, populated by my real body. Don’t let fiction tell you what to do. In the omnidirectional orgy gardens of Vlaxnoid, no one cares about your arm flab."

"Bring It On" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

The first Muslim American to medal in the Olympics, fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad opened up about what it is like to compete in an sport where so few people look like her. "One day, during a fifteen-hour flight to a training camp in Beijing, I arrived at a moment where I said enough is enough — I’d spent years fighting for every win, every opportunity, every ounce of respect on my path to becoming an Olympian, and I was no longer going to allow other people to affect how I perceived myself or restrict what I was capable of," she writes in Lenny Letter. "When people stared me down at a tournament, I didn’t know if it was a race thing or a religious thing or that they weren’t ready for change, but I finally realized: Why was that burden on me to figure out? I didn’t have the time to acquire their baggage or analyze why anyone wanted to make me feel inferior. I had a job to do on that team, and that job was winning a medal."

"Why It's So Important That CEOs Like Me Speak Out Against Trump" by Reshma Saujani

In an essay about corporate responsibility in the age of Trump by Reshma Saujani, the Girls Who Code founder and CEO reminds readers that individuals have a lot of power to enact change. "But if every American has the power to sway a CEO," she argues in a piece for Teen Vogue, "then every American quite literally has a chance to sway public opinion, to shape the way we talk and think and act on our values system — to change the way we treat our fellow Americans and those who come here seeking a better life for their families."

"Ava DuVernay on How to 'Pivot Towards Positivity' in Trying Times" by Ava DuVernay

There are few creatives as wise, or as giving when it comes to advice, as A Wrinkle in Time director Ava DuVernay. "These days I’m a lot less competitive, a lot less concerned about what other people do. I’m much more focused on the things that make me happy," she writes in an inspirational essay for InStyle. "I believe that good comes when you put out good, and so I just try to emanate joyful vibes. Why not? I’m not going to spend my day hating on someone else. I’ve got so many better and more joy-filled things to do."

"Portrait of a Lady" by Lady Gaga

In her 2016 essay on being a woman in the modern world, Lady Gaga opens up and offers a truly refreshing and inspiring perspective. "Being a lady today means being a fighter. It means being a survivor," she writes. "It means letting yourself be vulnerable and acknowledging your shame or that you're sad or you're angry. It takes great strength to do that."

5 Women Empowerment Essays Everybody Should Read

What does “women’s empowerment” mean? It refers to the process of giving women control over their choices and access to the opportunities and resources that allow them to thrive. While there’s been progress, gender inequality remains a persistent issue in the world. Empowering women politically, socially, economically, educationally, and psychologically helps narrow the gap. Here are five essays about women’s empowerment that everyone should read:

Women’s Movements and Feminist Activism (2019)

Amanda Gouws & Azille Coetzee

This editorial from the “Empowering women for gender equity” issue of the journal Agenda explores the issue’s themes. It gives a big picture view of the topics within. The issue is dedicated to women’s movements and activism primarily in South Africa, but also other African countries. New women’s movements focus on engaging with institutional policies and running campaigns for more female representation in government. Some barriers make activism work harder, such as resistance from men and funding, If you’re interested in the whole issue, this editorial provides a great summary of the main points, so you can decide if you want to read further.

Agenda is an African peer-viewed academic journal focusing on feminism. It was established in 1987. It publishes articles and other entries, and tutors young writers.

5 Powerful Ways Women Can Empower Other Women (2020)

Pavitra Raja

Originally published during Women’s History Month, this piece explores five initiatives spearheaded by women in the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship community. Created by women for women, these innovations demonstrate what’s possible when women harness their skills and empower each other. The initiatives featured in this article embrace technology, education, training programs, and more.

Pavitra Raja is the Community Manager for social entrepreneurs in Europe, North America, and Latin America. She’s consulted with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and also has experience in legal affairs and policy in the private and public sectors.

The Key to Improving Women’s Health in Developing Countries (2019)

Because of gender inequality, women’s health is affected around the world. Factors like a lower income than men, more responsibilities at home, and less education impact health. This is most clear in developing countries. How can this be addressed? This essay states that empowerment is the key. When giving authority and control over their own lives, women thrive and contribute more to the world. It’s important that programs seeking to end gender inequality focus on empowerment, and not “rescue.” Treating women like victims is not the answer.

Axa is a leading global insurer, covering more than 100 million customers in 57 countries. On their website, they say they strive for the collective good by working on prevention issues, fighting climate change, and prioritizing protection. The company has existed for over 200 years.

Empowering Women Is Smart Economics (2012)

Ana Revenga and Sudhir Shetty

What are the benefits of women’s empowerment? This article presents the argument that closing gender gaps doesn’t only serve women, it’s good for countries as a whole. Gender equality boosts economic productivity, makes institutions more representative, and makes life better for future generations. This piece gives a good overview of the state of the world (the data is a bit old, but things have not changed significantly) and explores policy implications. It’s based on the World Bank’s World Development Report in 2012 on gender equality and development.

Ana Revenga and Sudhir Shetty both worked at the World Bank at the time this article was originally published. Revenga was the Sector Director of Human Development, Europe and Central Asia. Shetty (who still works at the World Bank in a different role) was the Sector Director, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, East Asia and Pacific.

The Side Of Female Empowerment We Aren’t Talking About Enough (2017)

Tamara Schwarting

In this era of female empowerment, women are being told they can do anything, but can they? It isn’t because women aren’t capable. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. As this article says, women have “more to do but no more time to do it.” The pressure is overwhelming. Is the image of a woman who can “do it all” unrealistic? What can a modern woman do to manage a high-stakes life? This essay digs into some solutions, which include examining expectations and doing self-checks.

Tamara Schwarting is the CEO of 1628 LTD, a co-working community space of independent professionals in Ohio. She’s also an executive-level consultant in supply chain purchasing and business processes. She describes herself as an “urbanist” and has a passion for creative, empowering work environments.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

17 Empowering Poems About Strong Women

Get ready to be inspired by the resilience and power that emanates from the poems ahead. 

We've curated a collection of verses that showcase the incredible spirit of strong women from all walks of life . 

These poems capture their unwavering determination, fearlessness, and relentless pursuit of their dreams as they conquer challenges and break boundaries. 

Allow these words to uplift and embolden you as they pay homage to the indomitable spirit of women who refuse to be held back.

Why You Should Read Women's Empowerment Poems

1. beware, honey by sandra cisneros, 2. still i rise by maya angelou, 3. won't you celebrate with me by lucille clifton.

• 4. It’s your flaw I want to taste, by Lora Mathis

5. Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

• 6. Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why), by Nikki Giovanni

7. Ain't I a Woman? by Sojourner Truth

8. the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay, 9. the journey by mary oliver, 10. the applicant by sylvia plath, 11. i, being born a woman and distressed by edna st. vincent millay, 12. sadie and maud by gwendolyn brooks, 13. her kind by anne sexton, 14. fire by nikita gill, 15. when you fall for a man who could never love you by aman batra, 16. to the indifferent woman by charlotte anne gilman perkins, 17. the kindest words by rumi kapur, final thoughts.

Delving into the world of women empowerment poems offers a transformative experience that can reshape your perspective on strength, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of women. 

Here's why you should immerse yourself in these dynamic and relevant verses:

• You'll be inspired by the stories of courageous women who have overcome adversity, reminding you of your own inner strength.
• You'll connect with shared emotions , experiences, and challenges that create a sense of unity and sisterhood.
• You'll gain valuable insights into the struggles and triumphs of women from diverse backgrounds, promoting empathy and understanding.
• You'll discover powerful voices in poetry that challenge societal norms and expectations, empowering you to question the status quo.
• You'll find motivation and encouragement in the face of your own obstacles, drawing from the strength of the women depicted in these poems.

4. It’s your flaw I want to taste , by Lora Mathis

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31 Romantic Morning Poems For Her

15 Moving Poems About Letting Go

23 Poems About New Beginnings

6. Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why) , by Nikki Giovanni

(Note: This poem, originally a speech given by Truth in 1851, highlights the strength and resilience of women, particularly Black women, in the face of adversity.)

Through these powerful works of poetry, we witness the raw and unbridled strength of women who face adversity head-on. These poems echo with the voices of those who have overcome obstacles, shattered glass ceilings, and defied the odds. 

They serve as a testament to the unwavering courage and resilience that lie within every woman. So let these poems be a guiding light in your own journey towards empowerment and inspire you to reach new heights.

101 Best Quotes To Empower Women — By Women

Here’s the thing: Women don’t need empowerment. We already have power. We already have the strength, resilience, and courage to fight the systems that keep us from feeling like we don’t. 

But sometimes we just need a little reminder. 

For those moments, and for the rallying cries that will lead us all to a more just, equitable future, we’ve compiled a list of quotes that help us all tap into our inherent tenacity and make our voices echo even further.

From world leaders, activists, artists, poets, and fictional characters alike, we hope these quotes leave you feeling energized and encouraged to take on the world. Spoiler alert: it’s already yours. 

You might also like: Feminist Quotes | Independent Women Quotes | Women’s History Month Quotes | News About Inspiring Women

The Best Quotes To Empower Women

Famous quotes.

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” — Maya Angelou

“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” — Dolly Parton

“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.” — Coretta Scott King

“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.” — Amelia Earhart

“It’s not about how many times you get rejected or fall down or are beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.” — Lady Gaga

“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

“Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, and they need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen.” — Meghan Markle

“There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” — Rihanna

“Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives.” — Maya Angelou

Strong Woman Quotes

“A strong woman is a woman determined to do something that others are determined not to be done.” — Marge Piercy

“You don’t know the background story of resilience, struggles and strength of beautiful and outgoing women. All you see is what is showcased.” — Germany Kent

“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” —Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

“A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” — Nancy Rathburn

“Though we tremble before uncertain futures, may we meet illness, death and adversity with strength. May we dance n the face of our fears.” — Gloria Anzaldúa

“We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test.” — Isabel Allende

“The emerging woman… will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled, and strong-bodied… strength and beauty must go together.” — Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl

→ Read more quotes about staying strong

Inspirational Quotes

“For me, the process of embodying confidence was less about convincing myself of my own worth and more about rejecting and unlearning what society had hammered into me.” — Lindy West

“When life hands you a difficult situation where you feel undervalued and disrespected, be bold and brave enough to know your worth.” — Yai Vargas

“I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard… we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai

“Don’t be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That’s only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat: You have to master yourself.” — Olga Korbut

“I think it is about time that equipped women began to take on some of the ethical questions which a male-dominated culture has produced and dissect and analyze them quite to pieces in a serious fashion. It is time that ‘half the human race’ had something to say about the nature of its existence.” — Lorraine Hansberry

“To all the little girls… never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” — Hillary Clinton

“Deadly and graceful, poised and ruthless. Quiet and cunning. A queen offers her hand to be kissed, and can form it into a fist while smiling the whole damn time.” — Elizabeth Acevedo

“The extremists are afraid of books and pens, the power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women.” — Malala Yousafzai

“A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.” — Gloria Steinem

“I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists

“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.” — Cherrie Moraga

“The biggest problem that women have is being ambivalent about their own power… We should be comfortable with the idea of wielding power. We shouldn’t feel that it detracts from our femininity.” — Elizabeth Wurtzel, Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women

Female Empowerment Quotes

“When women lose themselves, the world loses its way. We do not need more selfless women. What we need right now is more women who have detoxed themselves so completely from the world’s expectations that they are full of nothing but themselves. What we need are women who are full of themselves. A woman who is full of herself knows and trusts herself enough to say and do what must be done. She lets the rest burn.” — Glennon Doyle

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.” — Kofi Annan

“If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen.” — Emma Watson

“I am a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” — Maya Angelou

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” — Toni Morrison

“Freedom is to live with dignity.” — Manal al-Sharif, Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening

“Who knows what women can be when they are finally free to be themselves.” — Betty Friedan

“Imagine how much happier we would be, how much freer to be our true individual selves, if we didn't have the weight of gender expectations.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“It is a blessing to know a free woman. Sometimes she will stop by and hold up a mirror for you. She will help you remember who you are.” — Glennon Doyle

“Freedom is not being for or against an ideal, but creating your own existence from scratch.” — Glennon Doyle

“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” — Virginia Woolf

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” — Audre Lorde

On Independence

“I will not stay, not ever again — in a room or conversation or relationship or institution that requires me to abandon myself.” — Glennon Doyle

“A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself” — Maya Angelou

“I’m not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn’t open for me. I’m going to create my own door and walk through that.” — Ava DuVernay 

“I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will.” — Amy Schumer

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” — Diane Mariechild

“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow. People are like that, too. They start over. They find a way.” — Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” — Marissa Mayer

“If you’re one of those people who has that little voice in the back of her mind saying, ‘Maybe I could do [fill in the blank],’ don’t tell it to be quiet. Give it a little room to grow, and try to find an environment it can grow in.” — Reese Witherspoon

“Change is incremental, and it is sometimes quiet. And it is happening. I promise you it is happening.” — Glennon Doyle

Feminist Quotes

“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” — G.D. Anderson

“Teach her that the idea of ‘gender roles’ is absolute nonsense. Do not ever tell her that she should or should not do something because she is a girl. ‘Because you are a girl’ is never a reason for anything. Ever.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.” — Rebecca West

“I embrace the label of bad feminist because I am human. I am messy. I’m not trying to be an example. I am not trying to be perfect. I am not trying to say I have all the answers. I am not trying to say I’m right. I am just trying — trying to support what I believe in, trying to do some good in this world, trying to make some noise with my writing while also being myself.” — Roxane Gay

“My movement is my movement. When all the dust has settled on the groundbreaking-ness, I’m going to still be doing this. I’m not going to suddenly change. I’m going to still be telling my life story through music. And if that’s body-positive to you, amen. If that’s feminist to you, amen. If that’s pro-Black to you, amen. Because ma’am, I’m all of those things.” — Lizzo

“I think transwomen, and transpeople in general, show everyone that you can define what it means to be a man or woman on your own terms. A lot of what feminism is about is moving outside of roles and moving outside of expectations of who and what you're supposed to be to live a more authentic life.” — Laverne Cox

“A huge part of being a feminist is giving other women the freedom to make choices you might not necessarily make yourself.” — Lena Dunham

“Feminism is for everybody.” — bell hooks

→ Read more feminist quotes

From Literature and Books

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“I ask not for any crown But that which all may win; Nor try to conquer any world Except the one within.” — Louisa May Alcott, The Complete Poetry

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“My true potential had more to do with my willingness to struggle than with my past and present circumstances.” — Hope Jahren, Lab Girl

“When you can’t find someone to follow, you have to find a way to lead by example.” — Roxane Gay, Bad Feminist

“There’s not a stratum of the world that doesn’t need girls. Maybe we’re devalued precisely because we’re so valuable. The world is too afraid of not being able to obtain and control us to respect our true worth.” — Xiran Jay Zhao, Iron Widow

“When we police a woman’s affect, when we privilege it or equate it with her actions, with what she actually does, we’re engaging in our most pervasive and yet our most quiet form of sexism, our most quiet form of everyday violence.” — Toni Jensen, Carry: A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land

“Agency. Self-determination. Dignity. Solidarity. We could not discount the potential impact of even one such altered perspective on a young girl, her family, and, eventually, on an entire community.” — Samantha Power, The Education of an Idealist: A Memoir

“It is critical to unearth and understand our stories — both as individuals and as entrepreneurs. Once we do that, make peace with it, and embrace it, not only can we live empowered, transformed, and fulfilling lives, we can help others do that too as models and as guides.” — Marta Spirk, The Empowered Woman: The Ultimate Roadmap to Business Success

“Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.” — Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

“When my daughters grow up and look at the trenches time will have dug on my forehead I want them to see the wars other women have fought so the lines of those after them wouldn’t be trenches, but poems” — Valentina Quarta, The Purpose Ladder

  “Sometimes just being yourself is the radical act. When you occupy space in systems that weren’t built for you, your authenticity is activism.” — Elaine Welteroth, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)

“Women have sat indoors all these millions of years, so that by this time the very walls are permeated by their creative force, which has, indeed, so overcharged the capacity of bricks and mortar that it must needs harness itself to pens and brushes and business and politics.” — Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

“I was amazed that what I needed to survive could be carried on my back. And, most surprising of all, that I could carry it.” — Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

From Women in Power

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Women are leaders everywhere you look — from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.” — Nancy Pelosi

“There will be people who say to you, ‘You are out of your lane’. They are  burdened by only having the capacity to see what has always been instead of what can be. But don’t let that burden you.” — Kamala Harris

“They’ll tell you you’re too loud — that you need to wait your turn and ask the right people for permission. Do it anyway.” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” — Sheryl Sandberg

“Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you’re knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.” — Hillary Clinton

“Our collective experience has shown that when women have the power to make their own choices, good things happen.” — Madeleine Albright

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” — Melinda Gates

Short Quotes

“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” — W.E.B. Dubois

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” — Michelle Obama

“Everything is within your power, and your power is within you.” — Janice Trachtman

“If you ask a woman who she is, she’ll tell you who she serves and sometimes what she does. But that isn’t the whole story.” — Glennon Doyle

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou

“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

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder

“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” — Mary Wollstonecraft

“I have met myself and I am going to care for her fiercely.” — Glennon Doyle

“Everything is within your power, and your power is within you.” — Janice Trachtman, Catching What Life Throws at You: Inspiring True Stories of Healing.

“We all have purpose even if we’re still striving to understand what that is.” — Angela Bassett

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis

“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.” — Marsha P. Johnson

→ Read more short quotes

More Quotes

“A powerful woman is a heat-resistant and storm-bracing caliber. There is nothing she cannot handle.” — Gift Gugu Mona

“Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” — Angela Davis

“I’ve been in so many spaces where I’m the first and only Black trans woman or trans woman period. I just want to work until there are fewer and fewer ‘first and only’s.” — Raquel Willis

“A woman who is willing to be herself and pursue her own potential runs not so much the risk of loneliness, as the challenge of exposure to more interesting men — and people in general.” — Lorraine Hansberry

“Respect, Love, and Value yourself. Always remember to be good to yourself by taking care of yourself. Make yourself a priority and know that it’s okay. Don’t feel guilty for loving yourself, first! You’re just as important as anybody else.” — Stephanie Lahart

“I do realize the importance of having the bravery to live as who you are and I feel like a lot of people don’t have that bravery. Maybe by me opening my big fat mouth like I usually do and stepping up and owning who I am, maybe it might inspire somebody else to do the same.” — Michelle Rodriguez

“It takes a little bit of bravery to step out, to be like, okay, I don’t look like anybody else around here. I am making the conscious decision to present myself the way I want to today.” — Hunter Schafer

“Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power — not because they don’t see it, but because they see it and they don’t want it to exist.” — Janet Mock

“Hear me as a woman Have me as your sister On purpled battlefield breaking day, So I might say our victory is just beginning, See me as change, Say I am movement, That I am the year And I am the era Of the women.” — Amanda Gorman , Won’t You Be My Sister

“I have met myself and I am going to care for her fiercely.” —Glennon Doyle

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12 Lessons in Strength and Resilience from Remarkable Women

In the wake of the pandemic and growing social unrest, we are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. It is a time that requires us to draw from our deepest reserves of strength and resilience, not just to be able to face our own personal challenges but also so that we find the energy and fortitude to help others and create the change we want to see in the world.

During my over two decades as a journalist, I have been fortunate to interview a wide range of incredible and powerful women, all of whom have had to overcome a variety of obstacles in their lives and have important and inspiring wisdom to share. What I have found through my conversations is that being “strong” is not some measure of our physical strength or being “perfect” or “tough.” True strength and courage comes from allowing ourselves to be open and vulnerable, reaching out for help or joining forces with others, falling down and getting back up, and using our strength and influence to support others who are most in need.

I decided to cull through my interviews for quotes that could help us all find courage, hope, and resilience to cope with whatever we are facing in our lives—and the inspiration to work together and support each other as we do the urgent and necessary work toward creating a better world.

1. Tap Into Your Courage

“I would encourage us to try our best to develop courage. It’s the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can be anything erratically—kind, fair, true, generous, all that. But to be that thing time after time, you need courage.”

MAYA ANGELOU, 1928-2014 Poet, Writer, Civil Rights Activist

“There is no one way to [find the courage to face your fear]. I think it just comes from knowing, acknowledging the fact that it is scary but then kind of taking a deep breath, swallowing hard, and just doing whatever that is anyway. There is no easy way—just do it. It’s just one of those things that comes with the fortitude of like, ‘Okay, I have to do it. So I am just going to acknowledge the fact that this is how I am feeling about it, but it is not going to stop me.’ I am really trying to encourage people to do what feels scary.”

LUVVIE AJAYI Writer, Speaker, Activist, Curator of  LuvvNation

“I always push the envelope. I don’t want to be caught in the same place for very long, and any time I feel frightened of doing something, that usually means I better get in there and do it.”

SALLY FIELD Award-winning Actress, Director

2. Hold Onto Hope

“People should never give up—there is always hope…. If we all give up hope and do nothing, then indeed there is no hope. It will be helped by all of us taking action of some sort. Cumulatively, our small decisions, choices, and actions make a very big difference.”

JANE GOODALL Primatologist, Author, Speaker, Founder of the  Jane Goodall Institute  and  Roots & Shoots

“Hope is hard. It’s painful. It requires patience and it’s erratic in its delivery, but it’s the most sustainable source of change and improvement possible. So I hold to two ideas: the first is hope, and the second is fight. Both have to be real and true, but they need help, and that means we have to fight for what we want. And I think with those twin obligations—the painful power of hope and the remarkable, sustainable nature of fighting—we can get things done.”

STACEY ABRAMS Political Leader, Author, Founder of  Fair Fight  and  Fair Count

“I think right now it takes courage to live a life of hope.”

LOUNG UNG Author, Activist, Public Speaker, Screenplay Writer

3. Let Yourself Feel Fear

“Being brave is not being unafraid but feeling the fear and doing it anyway. When you feel fear, try using it as a signal that something really important is about to happen.”

GLORIA STEINEM Feminist Activist, Speaker, Writer, Cofounder of  Women’s Media Center  and  Equality Now

“It’s okay to be afraid. Fear is normal and real and, in its own way, healthy.”

STACEY ABRAMS Political Leader, Author, Founder of  Fair Fight  and  Fair Count  

“Stop assuming there is a point at which you won’t be afraid. You’re always afraid. Courage is fear management; it’s not the lack of fear. So, first of all, accept the fear, invite it in, get used to how it feels. Fear is only damaging when it dictates our behavior. So you weigh things against how important your fear is to you, how debilitating your fear feels. You just check in with that every so often and make sure you understand the impact of what you’re doing, and it gives you strength to keep going.”

ABIGAIL DISNEY Activist, Philanthropist, Award-winning filmmaker 

4. Join Forces with Other Women

“Sisters: talk to each other, be connected and informed, form women’s circles, share your stories, work together, and take risks. Together we are invincible.”

ISABEL ALLENDE Novelist, Feminist, Founder of the  Isabel Allende Foundation  

“It’s so important that [women] look each other in the eye and go, ‘What’s happening is not okay, and we are not alone in trying to shift it. We are not alone in our pain, and we are not alone in transforming our pain into power. We’re all doing it, and we support each other in doing it.’”

KERRY WASHINGTON Actress, Activist, Executive Producer of  The Fight  Documentary 

“Creating community and safe spaces with other women, where we can share our stories and people can recognize that they’re not alone, is absolutely essential. You can cultivate courage on your own, but a lot of courage happens through connection and relationship with others. For me, it’s been incredibly inspiring to bear witness to women who, against all odds, assert the dignity of their work and their right to be recognized for the work that they do for families. That takes so much courage and is a huge source of inspiration and strength. At the end of the day, all of us need other people to inspire us and give us strength.”

AI-JEN POO Executive Director of the  National Domestic Workers Alliance , Co-director for   Caring Across Generations  and a Cofounder of  Supermajority

5. Be Optimistic

“You have to stay optimistic. You do sometimes feel very discouraged, but it’s also very important to remain optimistic and to see the silver lining in everything you do. Sometimes things look difficult, like there is no hope, but there is always a small glimmering of silver lining that is in everything.”

WANGARI MAATHAI, 1940-2011 Kenyan Environmental Activist, Nobel Laureate, Founder of  The Green Belt Movement

“What kept me positive? For one, being bitter is exhausting. I’ve done that. I held it in my shoulders, back, stomach, and face. I aged. I hurt. I cramped. It was no fun. . . . The anger might have kept my body going, but without love, the soul would have just slowly crumbled and burned. It was the love that kept the soul going. So I think to be fully alive, you need both a healthy body and a loving soul.”

“You can only be optimistic, because I don’t really know how you’d wake up in the morning if you felt pessimistic. It’s obviously easy to feel that way with the news—you can watch the news, and it feels like it’s the end of the world, very apocalyptic. So I just stay away from the news and try to find people around me who are doing positive things and look to them.”

NATALIE PORTMAN Award-winning Actress, Activist, Ambassador of Hope for  FINCA International

6. Lift Up Marginalized Voices

“The most important [leadership quality] is the ability to connect with the problems of people who are not like you—those who have been underserved by government historically, who don’t enjoy the privileges that you do. So the ability to really connect with those people and design policies that will include their well-being—with an understanding that as they go, so goes the rest of the country—I think that is important and may be the most critical characteristic of a leader today. Because so often those are the people who are not going to be represented by a lobbyist or a very important vocal donor, so those are the interests that can get lost.”

ANITA HILL Attorney, Professor, Activist, Chair of  The Hollywood Commission

“If you decide, ‘I will not stay in rooms where women are belittled; I will not stay in company where races, no matter who they are, are belittled; I will not take it; I will not sit around and accept dehumanizing other human beings’—if you decide to do that in small ways, and you continue to do it, finally you realize you’ve got so much courage. Imagine it: you’ve got so much courage that people want to be around you. They get a feeling that they will be protected in your company.”

MAYA ANGELOU,  1928-2014 Poet, Writer, Civil Rights Activist

“Women view power differently. It’s not power over; it’s power with. It’s about empowering others. It’s not hierarchical; it’s circular.”

JANE FONDA Actress, Activist, Founder of  Fire Drill Fridays , Cofounder of  Women’s Media Center

7. Speak Out

“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 First Female Secretary of State

“So many people are afraid to speak out; they’re afraid to ruffle feathers. But we have to. Every voice counts and that voice needs to be heard. And by not using your voice, you’re doing a disservice, not only to yourself, but to the community and the world at large. You have a responsibility to all of us. We need your help. I think girls and women are our heroes, and they need to start seeing themselves as our heroes and to come help us out of the mess that we’re in.”

JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM Filmmaker, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of  The Representation Project

“You can’t please everybody, so you might as well just speak the truth. That’s all your job is: to speak the truth. If nothing else because at least you know that you were authentic to yourself, and at the end of the day you have to basically answer to yourself, not anybody else. . . . I don’t think we can afford to be silent anymore. I think it is expensive to be quiet sometimes. I think it costs us more to be quiet than it does to speak up.”

8. Take Action to Create Change

“I don’t think it matters who you are, where you come from, or where you want to make your impact. You can make your impact on your neighborhood block. You can make your impact on your local school board. You can make your impact on any issue that you think is important. But the promise is, because you think it’s important, it is important. Women’s views and their values are important, and as they communicate their views and values, they will change outcomes. And it could be as local as their block, or as important as a national debate. It’s important to be a voice for the cause that you’re fighting for. I think all of us can use our voices to be as powerful as they can be on any issue that we think is important.”

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND New York Senator, Founder of  Off the Sidelines

“Take the tools and the skills and the resources of every kind that you have and go out, find something that you know is not fair, is not just, and begin to change it. In whatever way you know, in whatever way is appropriate for you, but don’t ignore it. Don’t think it’s somebody else’s job to change it. Confront it in your own way, and make it your job to make change.”

“My experience is, when I start flexing my activist muscles, when I start to do something that is bigger than me that is helping a bad situation, I tend to not be depressed anymore. I tend to feel empowered. So my advice is always do something to help.”

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks and Fail

“I always go back to my grandmother’s advice to me, which was the first time I fell and hurt myself. She said to me, ‘Honey, at least falling on your face is a forward movement.’ And that came back to me many times as I failed to get the job or failed to do things perfectly or whatever. You have to be willing to be brave enough to risk falling on your face, to risk failing. Everything we do is about taking risks.”

PAT MITCHELL Media Executive , Author, Editorial Director of  TEDWomen  

“Here’s one thing that I worry about: we’re not willing to make mistakes. We’re very nervous about making a wrong move and we worry that if we make the wrong move, then the consequences will mean that we never recover from them. It’s okay—in fact, it’s better than okay—to make mistakes, really big mistakes sometimes. So I would want to say to young women, ‘Hey, run for office, even if you think you’re going to lose. Take a hard class, even if you’re going to get a C in it. Go ahead and follow love, even if it doesn’t work out.’ We need just a little bit of courage to make mistakes, because that strikes me as where all the good stuff happens.”

MELISSA HARRIS-PERRY Author, Public Speaker, Professor, Founding Director of the  Anna Julia Cooper Center

“How have [my successes and failures] taught me? They are me. All my failures and all my successes as a mother and as a daughter and as a professional are me. I am a reflection of all of it. I reach out and sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. If I fail or get hurt, I pick myself up.”

10. Be Authentic and Vulnerable

“I think vulnerability is power. I like vulnerable and open people, and I think when you’re that way, you are actually being very brave. By presenting the real truth of yourself, who you really are, you change the molecules in the room.”

AMY POEHLER Actress, Writer, Producer, Cofounder of  Smart Girls

“Be your authentic self. Authenticity is everything. Think of what you have to offer and how unique that is.”

NANCY PELOSI Speaker of the House of Representatives

“There’s a saying that says, ‘To thine own self be true.’ I really think there’s so much more to that than meets the ear or meets the eye. I just think you really have to know who you are—come to terms with that, accept that and love that, and understand your talents, what your gifts may be, and how to develop them. If you’re comfortable with yourself and know yourself, you’re going to shine and radiate and other people are going to be drawn to you.”

DOLLY PARTON Singer-songwriter, Founder of the Dollywood Foundation and  Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

11. Live in the Present Moment

“It’s a courageous act to just be with whatever is happening at the moment—all of it, the difficult as well as the wonderful.”

EILEEN FISHER Fashion Designer, Founder and Chairwoman of  EILEEN FISHER, Inc. , Co-creator of the  Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute

“Surfing your life is this idea of finding your center of balance, and then realizing that ‘nothing gold will stay.’ The sooner you realize that everything changes—that the things that happen to you are not you and that everything will be different all the time and you have such little control over the next wave, then you’ll just stay in the moment, find your gravity, and be open to what’s coming. Just don’t turn your back on the wave—it’s coming, no matter what; you can’t hide from it. So face the waves, try to catch one, and ride it.”

“I would say that I’ve reached a really joyful stage that allows me to be fully present in every moment and to appreciate every person, every encounter, every moment in such a way that I feel so full of life.”

OPRAH WINFREY Media Mogul, Philanthropist

12. Trust that You Will Come Out Stronger

“Katharine Hepburn once said to me, ‘I’ve learned more from my failures,’ and it’s true: you learn. Somebody else said, ‘God doesn’t look for awards and accolades. God looks for wounds and scars.’ Most of us are wounded. I would wager that every single person carries wounds. And it’s through those wounds that we can blossom.

Don’t give up that effort to learn from your wounds and your scars. All we can do is try to take it from here and learn and grow from it. We can’t undo the wounds; they’re there, and we just let them teach us and let the wounds make us better people.”

“Some people are born with confidence. Some people are imbued with it based on their circumstance. But for a lot of us, confidence is borne of tragedy and disappointment, and the realization that we can still do more; it’s borne of resilience.”

“Look what you’ve already come through! Don’t deny it. You’ve already come through some things that are very painful. You have gone through some pain; it cost you something, and you’ve come through it. So at least look at that. Have the sense to look at yourself and say, ‘Well, wait a minute. I’m stronger than I thought I was.’”

The majority of the above material is excerpted from Marianne Schnall’s books  Leading the Way: Inspiring Words for Women on How to Live and Lead with Courage, Confidence, and Authenticity  and  Dare to Be You: Inspirational Advice for Girls on Finding Your Voice, Leading Fearlessly, and Making a Difference .

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Feminism Essay: Outline, Topics, & Examples

If you think that gender inequality is not an important issue anymore, bad news, you are wrong.

Women earn ~20% less than men , which will not change in the nearest 38 years unless every member of the society takes action.

In your essay on feminism, you might want to focus on the history or theory of the movement. Another idea is to write a feminist criticism paper on a film or a literary piece.

Wondering how to start a women empowerment essay? Want to know how to write about feminism? Outlining and planning your paper has never been easier! Take a look at a feminism essay outline sample and topics that we collected below. We also added several good feminism essay examples to inspire you even more.

🗃️ Feminism Essay: The 4 Steps to Write It

📝 feminism essay prompts, 💯 100+ feminism essay topics.

• 📜 Essay Samples

So, what should you do?

Before you start making your first draft, you need some pre-work. It consists of four stages: choosing the topic, researching, outlining, and writing.

Our experts prepared a step-by-step guide for you.

Follow it to write an excellent feminism argumentative essay.

Step 1: Choose a Feminism Essay Topic

At first, you need to decide what concerns you the most. Feminism is a rather broad topic, so there’s something worth attention for everyone.

Your topic should be comprehensive. However, don’t narrow it down too much. There might not be enough information.

How to choose a good topic for a feminism essay?

• Brainstorm your ideas. Try to remember everything you’ve heard or read; jot it down.
• Avoid mainstream or simple issues. It will be very hard to say something new about it.
• Formulate your topic as a research question. You will need to introduce and answer it in your paper.
• Do some research. You need to estimate if you can find enough information.
• Check if the topic is relevant. Consult your instructor if you hesitate.

For instance, look at these two topics:

A bad topic example: Feminism is a popular movement. A good topic example: Why is feminism popular among working women in the United States? *The second topic is narrow enough to study feminism in the particular context – working women in the United States. It also poses a specific question. However, there’s a need to define the meaning of popularity in this case.

Step 2: Conduct Your Research

After you’ve chosen the topic, get to researching. This might be the most essential part of your preparation.

The quality of your sources defines the quality of your paper. You can find many sources for your essay about feminism online, but not all of them are credible.

How to find reliable information?

• Use library databases and catalogs . Your college should provide access to them.
• Pay attention to the following: author, publisher, and date of publication. This will help you estimate the relevance of the source before you start reading it.
• Ask your instructor for help. They can recommend the sources or another area of research.
• Avoid such sources as social media, Wikipedia, forums, etc. They might help you to understand your topic better. Though, don’t use them as references in your paper.

Step 3: Feminism Essay Outline

Before making a draft, you should outline your paper. A feminism essay outline below is based on a typical 5-paragraph essay format.

Step 4: Write Your Feminism Essay

Now it’s time to write!

Use your drafts to create an essay on women empowerment.

The core part of your paper is argumentation. Choose the most substantial arguments and evidence. Put them at the beginning and the end of your argumentation line. Make sure that the structure is logical.

Proofread your essay. Pay information to your writing tone, grammar, and spelling. Ask somebody to read it and tell their opinion. You need to be sure that a person who hasn’t researched the topic can understand your writing.

Once you have finished, leave your essay for a couple of hours. Then re-read it and make final edits.

Check if you followed all the instructions. What is the formatting style? Should you save your essay in PDF? If everything is OK, congratulations! You have done it!

Do you need some inspiration and advice?

In this passage, we will discuss the most popular topics in the context of feminism.

Feminism Definition Essay

As the term “feminism” has many interpretations, you can discuss one or compare several. Of course, the movement has changed throughout history. Feminism is not the same thing as it was 100 or even 20 years ago.

Here are the points you can examine:

• Feminism as intellectual commitment. Explain the vision of feminism and how knowledge has changed the world.
• Feminism as a political movement. Describe the women’s activism in the United States or Europe from the late 19 th century to the present day.
• Different types of feminism and their philosophies. Here you have to explain the values of the movements. Describe their members.
• The concept of feminism in different countries. Highlight the similarities and the differences. You can compare several countries or do a thorough analysis of two.
• The meaning of feminism in the 21 st century. Describe how feminism changed and what are the key priorities today. You can also mention the key activists that lead the movement.

Women Empowerment Essay

Start with the main principles of women’s empowerment. These include understanding self-worth and the ability to make choices and influence society. After you define the concept, proceed with more specific areas.

How can you do it?

• Tell a story. Pick one life-changing story for your women in power essay. You can describe how it made a difference in one woman’s life and how it inspired others.
• Explain how the process has changed the lives of women. Choose less emancipated countries and describe how to modify the situation there.
• Choose the course of action. Define the areas which are essential in women’s empowerment today. It can be education, career, family, etc. Suggest your plan to implement the changes.
• Explain how feminism contributes to women’s empowerment. Pick particular examples of activism, movements, speeches, and courses of action.

Why We Need Feminism Essay

This type of essay is perfect for an argumentative topic. The need for feminism varies for each country, person, or society. In this case, you have to frame your research to a specific person or group of people.

Here are the possible areas for discussion:

• Explain the values of modern feminism and why it is necessary to accept them. Write about the importance of popularizing them.
• Describe the misconceptions that evolved around feminism. Explain the reasons for negative stigmas and why they are wrong.
• Write about the problems that feminism fights. For example, rape, violence, and body legislation. Discuss why we need to pay attention to them and how feminist activists contribute to them.
• Describe the role of feminism in your life. You can include the positive impact, the change in your life views, and the opportunities it gave you.

Feminism in the Workplace Essay

Women changed their occupations a lot since feminists started fighting for equal job opportunities. However, we still see the need for improvements. Everyone has a right to work, but there is inequality and problems to discuss. 

Take a look at this list of ideas for your essay:

• Write about women in the labor force from a historical perspective. It is better to choose a specific time frame and define problems and changes.
• Describe the current situation. Highlight the problems such as the wage gap or different responsibilities outside the job. You can also write about the jobs that are not available for women.
• Suggest the solutions to the problems. Write about the companies that promote gender equality. Describe their impact and strategy.
• Research a particular country about its professional sphere. You can also compare two or three of them.

Ready to choose your topic? We are sure that you will find something worth attention here.

Here is our selection of essay titles:

• Gender roles in society: The need for change.
• Why is it essential to study feminism for students?
• Social issues: Abortion in the US.
• Black feminism in the United States. The key values, challenges, and goals.
• What does it mean for a woman to be successful? The truth behind the stereotypes.
• The possible ways to establish feminist values in Asian countries.
• Philosophical issue: Should abortion be legal?
• What are the current trends in liberal feminism?
• Women’s role in the Victorian society.
• How to prevent sexual harassment and rapes in the United States?
• The role of women in the Arabian Gulf.
• Does feminism move the world towards a matriarchal society?
• Abortion: Supporting and opposing arguments.
• How does feminism contribute to the economy of the United States?
• Women’s history and the American experience.
• Gender roles. Who is responsible for creating them?
• Exploring influences on gender roles.
• The third wave of feminism: The key achievements.
• Gender inequality in the workplace and career.
• Eating disorders and their consequences among women.
• The turning point for women in history.
• A modern CV. Should there be written information about gender and age?
• Violence against Native American women.
• What is the difference between gender and sex?
• Feminism and the LGBT community. The similarity of values.
• Why is it better to educate men than to protect women?
• Legislation denying women’s right of abortion.
• The main concepts of the second wave of feminism.
• Women in authoritative work roles.
• How does feminism influence the perception of women’s sexuality?
• Gender discrimination at work in the United States.
• Why should we pay more attention to girls’ education?
• American women in careers in films of the 1930s.
• Gender bias in profession choice. Why should we fight stereotypes?
• Feminism in the hip-hop culture.
• What are the factors determining abusive relationships?
• Gender discrimination in public and work places.
• Female writers in the 19 th century. The struggles of the career.
• Gender bias in professional sports.
• How would modern society be different without gender stereotypes?
• Women in sports: wage gap and social responsibility.
• Do we need gender-binary bathrooms in public places?
• Gender studies: Nature versus nurture.
• Fashion and retail. Why are goods designed for women more expensive?
• Women in politics. The challenges of gaining recognition.
• Is “pink tax” just about business, or does it involve politics?
• Women’s experiences at work and their gender roles.
• The goals of intersectional feminism in the United States.
• Gendered division of labour and its history.
• How feminism supports the diversity of women in Europe?
• Gender roles in Northern India.
• Should a woman look feminine to be attractive?
• Reproductive health issues: Women fertility rights.
• What values do radical feminists project on the young generation?
• Women and the pornography industry.
• How does Netflix contribute to feminism and promote gender equality?
• The role of Chinese women in the past and present.
• Can feminism provoke hatred of women towards men?
• The portrayal of women in media. What’s wrong with it?
• The key features and goals of postmodern feminism.
• Gender and education in developing countries.
• Do radical feminists try to discriminate against men and their rights?
• Attitudes toward women after 1865.
• What is the point of the anti-feminist movement in the 21 st century?
• Women rights to land and property in the 18th century.
• Why don’t women leave their abusive husbands or partners?
• Women’s rights movements during the Reconstruction period.
• What are the achievements of ecofeminism in the last ten years?
• Women in the history of different religions.
• The portrayal of women’s empowerment in cinematography and literature.
• Women in the military: World War II.
• Feminism in Scandinavian countries. Are they the most emancipated?
• Activism, philosophy, and political career of women by the case of Angela Davis.
• How can we eliminate sexism in advertising and marketing?
• Black women’s struggles in the workplace.
• Beauty standards. Why do women harm themselves to look good?
• Saudi women in the British media and Saudi media.
• Feminism anarchists. What values do they promote?
• Prevalence of violence against women by an intimate partner.
• Feminism in India. How does Urdu culture influence gender equality?
• Case management: Domestic violence against women.
• Why are there more dangers for women than men in society?
• Disregard of women in Trifles by Susan Glaspell.
• Online activism. How does it contribute to global feminism?
• Does the hospitality industry provide dignity at work for women?
• The changes in feminist philosophy in the last 30 years.
• How the Arab pop world objectifies the women’s body.
• Fat shaming. Why are women so concerned about their looks?
• Why should birth control pills exist for men as well?
• Native American women raising children off the reservation.
• The ways to fight women’s oppression in Arab countries.
• How do businesses earn on gender inequality and patriarchal values?
• Pro-choice movement: Benefits of women’s abortion rights.
• The portrayal of a typical feminist in the 21 st century.
• In what ways do radical and liberal feminism movements contradict each other?
• Saudi Arabia: Gender roles and human rights.
• Body positivity and feminism. Similarities and differences in values.
• Feminism in African countries. What do they fight for?
• Pro-life or pro-choice? Feminism and attitude to abortions.
• Sexism in business. The misconceptions about female entrepreneurs.
• Feminism and transgender people. What challenges do they face?
• Is feminism becoming a mainstream movement in the United States?
• How feminism helps women to understand their self-worth?
• The history of radical feminism in the United States.
• Role of black feminism in the Black Lives Matter movement.
• Why are there more men than women in Forbes?
• Religion and feminism. The key contradictions and arguments.
• The connection between economic advancement and feminism in Europe.
• How do women in politics contribute to gender equality?
• Women in the sex industry. What is feminists’ attitude to them?
• Women in politics. The challenges of the career.
• How to explain feminism to children in simple terms?
• Gender inequality in higher education.
• Feminism among teenagers. Positive and negative aspects of activism.
• Feminism and parenting. Should there be gender roles in children’s upbringing?
• Gender roles and norms in early world history.
• Victim blaming. The reasons for supporting victimized women.
• Are there true feminists among men? The controversy of the issue.
• The value of the feminism movement is sociological research.
• Why should men support women’s empowerment?
• How and why has the word “feminism” changed its meaning in the English language?
• Gender and sexuality in popular media.
• Career and family life. How to promote equal responsibilities for men and women?
• How should parents treat their children to avoid gender inequality issues in the future?
• Why do women stay in abusive relationships?
• Do we still need gender roles in the 21 st century?
• How to define gender as a sociological concept?
• Why are some men afraid of the feminist movement?
• The efficiency of speeches for students on feminism.
• Gender representation in children’s media.
• The most powerful and recognized feminists of the 20 th century.
• Domestic violence in the United States. How can we protect women?
• Girls’ role models. How did they change because of feminism?
• Gender and harassment of sexual nature at workplaces.
• The main feminist activists in Europe in the 21 st century?
• Gender bias in the US family law system.
• The best ways of self-protection for women in the United States.
• Black power movement and feminism. What do they have in common?
• Gender inequality in employment.
• Why should teenagers study feminism in high school?
• Avoiding wage discrimination based on gender.
• What is the impact of feminism on your life?
• Rape and violence against women: Cultural indoctrination.
• What can every person do to contribute to feminism?
• How does feminism support same-sex marriages?
• Disabled women sexuality and reproductive health.
• Should everyone be a feminist? The possibility of this scenario.
• Women-leaders in government organizations.
• Men’s attitude to modern feminism. How do they perceive the movement?
• Black feminism movement analysis.
• Queer feminists in the United States. Activism and social positions.
• First, second, and third waves of feminism.
• How to become a feminist? What should you know and do?
• Feminism in post-colonial period against the backdrop of clash of cultures.
• Career opportunities in the military for female soldiers.
• Development of women’s rights in the United Arab Emirates.
• #Metoo movement and its impact on males and females.
• Gender issues perception and changes over time.
• Why do some women resist and criticize feminism?
• Counseling women and girls: The feminist therapy.

📜 Feminism Essay Examples

Before you start writing, take a look at these samples. We have prepared one argumentative and one descriptive essay example for you. You can use them as a reference for your paper.

Gender Wage Gaps & Feminism Argumentative Essay

The gender wage gap is a problem that many women face in their careers. Regardless of their position, a female on average earns 82 cents to every dollar a male earns. As a result, they are not able to have the same pensions and social security as men after retirement. Women should receive the same payments as men as they are equally productive. Besides, they provide for their families too, and it would be beneficial for the economy. Gender doesn’t affect productivity, especially when it comes to intellectual jobs. Women receive equal education and pay for the tuition. It is unfair that after graduation, they start working for less money. For example, according to the research held by the American Association of University Women, female physicians and surgeons in total earn $19 billion less annually than men. It is unfair because they have the same responsibilities and workload. Moreover, it is more challenging to get a job because the market is not favorable for women. Women also take part in forming family budgets. Working women pay rent or mortgage, pay for food expenses, and contribute to their children’s well-being. Single mothers have to provide for their families alone. They are in the most vulnerable position as lower salaries make them work more. That is why they should receive fair payment. In addition, women also spend more money on goods designed for them, such as clothes or healthcare products. Higher prices and lower salaries make it harder for women to make a living. If women earn as much as men, it means they will pay more taxes and will be able to spend more money. It would be better for the economy, as money turnover is a critical factor determining economic growth.

Essay on Empowerment of Women in India

India is on its way to women’s empowerment. The situation has gotten much better in the last thirty years. Female political, business, and medicine participation increased. But there are still various challenges as India is still not even close to the Scandinavian women’s empowerment model. Women in India are only 21% of the labor force and are not paid for most of their jobs. Gender inequality can be reduced if the government and society apply specific changes, which will be discussed in this essay. There are several milestones achieved in India when it comes to women’s empowerment. For example, the Mahila-E-Haat project , established in 2016, is an online marketing campaign. It supports women entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and non-government organizations. The Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana scheme started functionating in January 2015. It focuses on generating greater welfare for little girls. Also, the World Bank works on the improvement of maternity and child healthcare in India. However, India faces various challenges trying to implement gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum gender equality ranking, India dropped from 108 th in 2018 to 112 th in 2020 . Women are weakly represented in politics of higher standing. There are only 14.4% of women in the parliament and 23% in the cabinet . Females earn only one-fifth of what males make in India. Almost half of the Indian women don’t even have their own bank account. Most of them don’t even possess any valuable properties. More than half of the crimes committed in India are against women, which leads to greater physical insecurity. India has a potential for changes. There are various opportunities in the private sector and legislation. The IMF estimates that by 2025 women will add $700 billion to the economy and raise GDP by 27% . Japanese model is also a valuable lesson for India.

We hope our article helped you to figure out how and what to write about feminism and women empowerment.

If you need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team. They are always ready to help.

Good luck and happy writing!

good article… it will help me……

nice article.. it helped me alot

15 People Explain What It Means To Be A Strong Woman

• https://thoughtcatalog.com/?p=609165

1. She fights against expectations.

“A strong woman has an awareness of the obstacles in her way and the misogynistic expectations people have for her, but she decides for herself what she wants and works to achieve it. Furthermore, a strong woman is willing to find help or gain strength from supportive friends, family members, and mentors–despite the notion that women should be ‘independent’ and ‘do it all.'”

2. She bounces back.

“A strong woman keeps going on like she has never been hurt, despite having been.”

3. She knows who she is.

“A strong woman is self-aware. She continually tries to overcome her fears, she knows how to control herself, and she is patient no matter the situation. She isn’t afraid to reveal her feelings because we all have them, and she shows hers without caring what other people think.”

4. She is independent, but knows when to ask for help.

“Being a strong woman doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Hell, being a strong man doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. Part of me thinks that women feel they have to overcompensate because so many peg them as these fragile, helpless creatures, when many of the women I know are stronger (be it mentally, emotionally, or physically) than many of the men I know.

Being a strong woman in my eyes means you’re someone who is realistic enough to know what you can do, is grounded enough to know when you need a hand, and is confident enough to know you can ask for help without fear of being judged.”

5. She follows her own path.

“A strong woman is someone who follows her own dreams rather than a man.”

6. She is unapologetic about who she is.

“A strong woman works hard, she chases what she believes in, and she does it all for herself. No one else. She loves endlessly and shows appreciation to those around her. Most importantly, she isn’t selfish, and once she makes it, she reaches back to help others.”

7. She’s a fighter.

“A strong woman is a woman who fights for rights she shouldn’t have to fight for.”

8. She’s perseverant.

“A strong woman gets up every time she falls. She pushes forward, even when all odds are against her. She doesn’t let others influence her decisions. She’s resilient.”

9. She is balanced.

“A strong woman knows when to be selfish and when to be selfless, when to follow her head and when to follow her heart. She has a good, stable head on her shoulders, and she knows when to play the hand she’s dealt and when to fold and hope the next one’s better.”

10. She doesn’t let others define her.

“A strong woman is a busy, vibrant, and goal-orientated woman who doesn’t wait for a man to validate her existence.”

11. She is grounded in her faith.

“A strong woman believes in whatever she believes in, and lets that faith guide her every step.”

12. She isn’t afraid to be true to her feelings.

“A strong woman is someone who isn’t afraid to share her opinions and speak her truth. She listens, but she doesn’t allow others problems to bring her down.

She is filled with kindness, generosity, compassion, integrity, a willingness to be vulnerable, and authenticity. No matter what she is true to herself.”

13. She respects herself.

“A strong woman doesn’t let the cattiness of other women bring her down. She has the utmost respect for herself and what she believes in.”

14. She is humble.

“A strong woman is confident, yes. But I think the best way to describe a woman’s strength is a sense of ‘confident humility,’ paired with faith and passion. By ‘confident humility’ I just mean someone that isn’t so humble that she comes across as weak. Rather, someone that can stay confident without getting arrogant.”

15. She loves.

About the author

Marisa Donnelly

Marisa is a writer, poet, & editor. She is the author of Somewhere On A Highway , a poetry collection on self-discovery, growth, love, loss and the challenges of becoming.

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The road to true gender equality remains long and ever-shifting—particularly when it comes to all the nuanced ways gender intersects with race, class, and sexuality. But today's influential female voices give us hope that we’re headed in the right direction. To commemorate International Women's Day, we've gathered 100 empowering quotes by feminist trailblazers who have embraced the power of their womanhood—and who will inspire you to do the same.

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” Maya Angelou

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Shirley Chisholm

“I want to show that you can have fun and have purpose, be respectful and speak your mind. You can be both elegant and a provocateur. You can be curvy and still be a fashion icon. I wish this freedom for every person.” Beyoncé

“The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.” Adrienne Rich

“I understand a woman’s need to have something for herself.” Jill Biden

“ Of all the nasty outcomes predicted for women's liberation...none was more alarming than the suggestion that women would eventually become just like men.” Barbara Ehrenreich

“People had to adjust to the uncomfortableness of me just existing, not entertaining or delivering or slaying.” Solange

“I didn’t see enough examples of different versions of how a woman can find happiness and joy and power and sensuality, sexuality, all of that, without it being through the lens of how I’m seen by a man. People are like, ‘You’re the poster child for being single.’ And I was like, ‘Great.’ But what I would prefer is that I’m the poster child for living my life on my terms. And that there’s a version of that for everyone.” Tracee Ellis Ross

“My 20s and my 30s...were a time where you had to be a loud bitch to just find some space in the room.” Charlize Theron

On the day when it will be possible for woman to love not in her weakness but in strength, not to escape herself but to find herself, not to abase herself but to assert herself – on that day love will become for her, as for man, a source of life and not of mortal danger. In the meantime, love represents in its most touching form the curse that lies heavily upon woman confined in the feminine universe, woman mutilated, insufficient unto herself.” Simone de Beauvoir

“No matter what the fight, don't be ladylike! God almighty made women and the Rockefeller gang of thieves made the ladies.” Mother Jones

“If you are to free yourselves you must break the chains of oppression yourselves. Only then can we express our dignity, only when we have liberated ourselves can we co-operate with other groups. Any acceptance of humiliation, indignity or insult is acceptance of inferiority.” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

“We know exactly what’s in a contract every time a man signs it. We never know what women make. Why is it? Because they’re not something to be proud of. We need to change that narrative.” Megan Rapinoe

“I want to be able to have fun with how I present myself in the world without feeling like I’m a bad feminist or a good feminist.” Emily Ratajkowski

“Our response can’t be to shrug or to think only about our own countries, because we are all connected. This is a time to fight. If there is a fight in this life, it must be for freedoms and rights. And if we have our freedom, we must fight for others who don’t.” Angelina Jolie

“I’ve survived [because] I want to live. I want to be here. Even in our troubled world. Even with all the greed and stupidity and terrible things that we’re all facing and reading in the news or experiencing, I want to be alive. I want to breathe. I want to do my work.” Patti Smith

“That taught me that power has to come from inside. It has to come from knowing who you are, why you’re on earth, what is the meaning of your life. That’s power. If it’s all about armor, possessions, and weapons, that’s not power.” Jane Fonda

“I know people are not used to seeing confident, educated, happy, chunky African American girls, and I don’t care. They’re just going to have to get used to it.” Precious Lee

“I want to build a community where women of all races can communicate and share some of those secrets, so we can continue to support and take care of each other. I want to give women a space to feel their own strength and tell their stories. That is power.” Beyoncé

“To be able to create opportunities where women are telling their stories in their own words, you’re just getting a better perspective of the human experience.” Reese Witherspoon

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” Alice Walker

“There is something threatening about a woman who is not occupied with children. There is something at-loose-ends feeling about such a woman. What is she going to do instead? What sort of trouble will she make?” Sheila Heti

“Nearly everything I know about love, I've learnt from my long-term friendships with women.” Dolly Alderton

“what’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? / that since day one. she’s already had everything / she needs within herself. it’s the world that / convinced her she did not.” Rupi Kaur

“A slut is someone, usually a woman, who’s stepped outside of the very narrow lane that good girls are supposed to stay within. Sluts are loud. We’re messy. We don’t behave. In fact, the original definition of ‘slut’ meant ‘untidy woman.’ But since we live in a world that relies on women to be tidy in all ways, to be quiet and obedient and agreeable and available (but never aggressive), those of us who color outside of the lines get called sluts. And that word is meant to keep us in line.” Jaclyn Friedman

“Hear me as a woman./Have me as your sister./On purpled battlefield breaking day,/So I might say our victory is just beginning,/See me as change,/Say I am movement,/That I am the year,/and I am the era/of the women.” Amanda Gorman

“Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” G.D. Anderson

“They'll tell you you're too loud, that you need to wait your turn and ask the right people for permission. Do it anyway.” Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. Malala Yousafzai

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Audre Lorde

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.” Rebecca West

“All women, whatever be their position, should demand political equality as a means of a freer life, and one calculated to yield rich blessings to society.” Clara Zetkin

“Wouldn’t it be nice if Black girls weren’t inundated with negative, sexist comments about Black women? If they were told instead of the many important things that we’ve achieved? ... Black women, too often in the shadows of such accomplishments, actually powered the civil rights movement.” Megan Thee Stallion

Women are always saying, 'We can do anything that men can do.' But men should be saying, 'We can do anything that women can do.' Gloria Steinem

“Feminism is for everybody.” bell hooks

“I think transwomen, and transpeople in general, show everyone that you can define what it means to be a man or woman on your own terms. A lot of what feminism is about is moving outside of roles and moving outside of expectations of who and what you're supposed to be to live a more authentic life.” Laverne Cox

“I want people to know that they can be dynamic; that they don’t have to be defined in just one way; and that all of us can benefit from stepping outside the box and allowing ourselves to learn and experiment and explore—even a former First Lady.”

Michelle Obama

“You don't have to be pretty. You don't owe prettiness to anyone. Not to your boyfriend/spouse/partner, not to your co-workers, especially not to random men on the street. You don't owe it to your mother, you don't owe it to your children, you don't owe it to civilization in general. Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked ‘female.’” Erin McKean

“I can promise you that women working together – linked, informed and educated – can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.” Isabelle Allende

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Michelle Obama

There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer. Rihanna

“When a man gives his opinion, he's a man; when a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.” Bette Davis

“Men often ask me, ‘Why are your female characters so paranoid?’ It’s not paranoia. It’s recognition of their situation.” Margaret Atwood

“Women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women's political participation.” Meghan Markle

“I always wanted to be a femme fatale. Even when I was a young girl, I never really wanted to be a girl. I wanted to be a woman.” Diane von Furstenberg

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. Maya Angelou

“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

“Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.” Nancy Pelosi

The more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop. Emma Watson

“I’ve been in so many spaces where I’m the first and only Black trans woman or trans woman period. I just want to work until there are fewer and fewer ‘first and only’s.” Raquel Willis

“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” Sheryl Sandberg

“Whether I am meant to or not, I challenge assumptions about women. I do make some people uncomfortable, which I'm well aware of, but that's just part of coming to grips with what I believe is still one of the most important pieces of unfinished business in human history—empowering women to be able to stand up for themselves.” Hillary Clinton

“We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.” Beyoncé

“My movement is my movement. When all the dust has settled on the groundbreaking-ness, I’m going to still be doing this. I’m not going to suddenly change. I’m going to still be telling my life story through music. And if that’s body-positive to you, amen. If that’s feminist to you, amen. If that’s pro-black to you, amen. Because ma’am, I’m all of those things.” Lizzo

“You could make a case that, along with the technological revolution, the most provocative upending destabilizing thrilling change in the course of human history is that we’re finally in it. … We're here now, women are in the world, and we will not be bullied.” Meryl Streep

“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

“Women will be hidden no more. We will not remain hidden figures. We have names. … It was woman that gave you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was woman that gave you Malcolm X. And according to the Bible, it was a woman that gave you Jesus. Don't you ever forget it.” Janelle Monáe

“No woman should be told she can't make decisions about her own body. When women's rights are under attack, we fight back.” Kamala Harris

“For I conclude that the enemy is not lipstick, but guilt itself; we deserve lipstick, if we want it, AND free speech; we deserve to be sexual AND serious—or whatever we please. We are entitled to wear cowboy boots to our own revolution.” Naomi Wolf

“That’s one of the things I have dysphoria around as a trans woman. ‘So what if I’m not a model?’ … But I was just like, ‘This is me. This is what I look like. This is who I love. This is who I fight for.’” Raquel Willis

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” Sheryl Sandberg

“If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.” The Cohambee River Collective

“Women's freedom is the sign of social freedom.” Rosa Luxemburg

“Women’s speech—and the fact that we are now listening to it—has enraged men in a way that makes them determined to reestablish the longstanding hierarchy of power in America. ... And yet this awful truth will not stop women from speaking, and I do not think that it will turn a movement into a moment. It has become clear that there is not nearly enough left to lose.” Jia Tolentino

[pullquote]Justice is about making sure that being polite is not the same thing as being quiet. In fact, often times, the most righteous thing you can do is shake the table. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [/pullquote]

“They cannot stand that a refugee, a black woman, an immigrant, a Muslim, shows up in Congress thinking she's equal to them. But I say to them, ‘How else did you expect me to show up?’” Ilhan Omar

“It's important to teach our female youth that it's OK to say, 'Yes, I am good at this,' and you don't hold back.” Simone Biles

“Maybe it just boils down to: I'm a woman who's really into her career, so I'm obsessed with the craft of my work. … There's a romance in that for me.” Mitski

“In my opinion, the most exciting potential of women of color formations resides in the possibility of politicizing this identity—basing the identity on politics rather than the politics on identity.” Angela Davis

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” Toni Morrison

“We know that when a woman speaks truth to power, there will be attempts to put her down... I'm not going to go anywhere.” Maxine Waters

“I don’t think about beauty. I wake up and I want to be a smarter person, that’s my focus. … I’m encouraging certainly my girls that if they can make their inside and who they are really, really stunning then everything falls together.” Angelina Jolie

“‘It is impossible for you to do it,’ was the terrible verdict. ‘In the first place you are a woman and would need a protector, and even if it were possible for you to travel alone you would need to carry so much baggage that it would detain you in making rapid changes. Besides you speak nothing but English, so there is no use talking about it; no one but a man can do this.’”

“‘Very well,’ I said angrily, ‘Start the man, and I'll start the same day for some other newspaper and beat him.’” Nellie Bly

“I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.” Jane Austen

Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul. Coretta Scott King

“I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” Madonna

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?” Sojourner Truth

“More and more women are realizing that only collective strength and action will allow us to be free to fight for the kind of society that meets basic human needs.” Roxanne Dunbar

“I hear a lot of people saying, when talking about girls' empowerment and women as well, you'll often hear people saying, ‘You're helping them find their voices,’ I fundamentally disagree with that. Women don't need to find their voice. They need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen.” Meghan Markle

“By propagating women's nature as non-violent they are discouraging women from becoming fighters in the struggle for their own liberation and that of society.” Anuradha Ghandy

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn't be that women are the exception. Ruth Bader Ginsburg

“Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women, and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” Angela Davis

“For women, then, poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action.” Audre Lorde

“A revolutionary woman can't have no reactionary man.” Assata Shakur

“When a woman is assaulted, one of the first questions people ask is, Did you say no? This question assumes that the answer was always yes, and that it is her job to revoke the agreement. To defuse the bomb she was given. But why are they allowed to touch us until we physically fight them off? Why is the door open until we have to slam it shut?” Chanel Miller

“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” Virginia Woolf

“We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“I embrace the label of bad feminist because I am human. I am messy. I’m not trying to be an example. I am not trying to be perfect. I am not trying to say I have all the answers. I am not trying to say I’m right. I am just trying—trying to support what I believe in, trying to do some good in this world, trying to make some noise with my writing while also being myself.” Roxane Gay

“Who made man the exclusive judge, if women partake with him the gift of reason?” Mary Wollstonecraft

“I don’t want to think about what I’m leaving. I just think about who I am every single day behind closed doors and behind cameras. And that’s what I focus on.” Serena Williams

“Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size.” Virginia Woolf

“She didn't care that people called her a bitch. 'It's just another word for feminist,' she told me with pride.” Gayle Forman

“Men should think twice before making widowhood women's only path to power.” Gloria Steinem

“I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.” Dolly Parton

“I am a woman and a warrior. If you think I can't be both, you've been lied to.” Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar

“I am a woman / Phenomenally / Phenomenal woman / That's me.” Maya Angelou

“Feminism is layered and its power comes from its diversity.” Scarlett Curtis

“Behind every great woman... is another great woman.” Kate Hodges

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” Melinda Gates

“To all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful, and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” Hillary Clinton

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50 powerful women empowerment quotes that'll leave you inspired

Women’s History Month is a welcome reminder to celebrate the incredible efforts of all women — past, present and future.

Little by little, we're seeing a shift in the way the world looks at — and appreciates — women, but let it be known that the road to true gender equality remains long. When it feels like the odds are stacked against you and your fellow females, lean on other strong women for much-needed encouragement and hope that brighter days are indeed ahead.

While you can always turn to your real-life support system for inspiration, these women empowerment quotes will also motivate you to keep chipping away at the ever-present glass ceiling. Below, bold women like Maya Angelou , Serena Williams , Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Dolly Parton drive that point home, inspiring all of us to use power within us to make a change — for us and all the generations to follow.

Whether you're looking for something to post in honor of Women's History Month or simply need some motivation to keep fighting the good fight, read these powerful quotes from female founders, famous icons and feminist trailblazers. Once you get your fix, follow in the footsteps of the women before you and keep blazing that trail!

• "As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it." — Sandra Day O'Connor
• "Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men." — Katherine Johnson
• "Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important." — Junko Tabei
• "We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated." — Maya Angelou
• "Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world." — Eleanor Roosevelt, "It’s Up to the Women"
• "It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice." — Michelle Obama, "Becoming"
• “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” ― Estée Lauder
• “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” ― Melinda Gates
• “I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it.” — Hoda Kotb
• “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” ― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• “Women’s work is never easy, never clean.” ― Tayari Jones, "An American Marriage"
• “You don’t know the background story of resilience, struggles and strength of beautiful and outgoing women. All you see is what is showcased.” ― Germany Kent
• “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” ― Oprah Winfrey
• “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” ― Rihanna
• “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "We Should All Be Feminists"
• “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” ― G.D. Anderson
• “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard … we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." ― Malala Yousafzai
• “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.” ― Rebecca West
• “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”― Brigham Young
• “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
• “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” ― Michelle Obama
•  “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” ― Sheryl Sandberg
• “Justice is about making sure that being polite is not the same thing as being quiet. In fact, oftentimes, the most righteous thing you can do is shake the table.” ― Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
• “Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” ― Angela Davis
• “Who made man the exclusive judge, if women partake with him the gift of reason?” ― Mary Wollstonecraft
• “Behind every great woman... is another great woman.” ― Kate Hodges
• “As long as she thinks of a man, nobody objects to a woman thinking.” ― Virginia Woolf, "Orlando"
• “Men should think twice before making widowhood women’s only path to power.” ― Gloria Steinem
• “I embrace the label of bad feminist because I am human. I am messy. I’m not trying to be an example. I am not trying to be perfect. I am not trying to say I have all the answers. I am not trying to say I’m right. I am just trying—trying to support what I believe in, trying to do some good in this world, trying to make some noise with my writing while also being myself.” ― Roxane Gay
• “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” ― Audre Lorde
• “No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.” ― Margaret Sanger
• “If any female feels she need anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she is already giving away her power to be self-defining, her agency.” ― bell hooks, Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
• “No woman should be made to fear that she was not enough.” ― Samantha Shannon, "The Priory of the Orange Tree"
• “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.”― Dolly Parton
• “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” ― Joan of Arc
• “Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.” ― Louisa May Alcott, "Little Women"
• “The emerging woman ... will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled, and strong-bodied...strength and beauty must go together.” ― Louisa May Alcott, "An Old-Fashioned Girl"
• “Teach her that the idea of ‘gender roles’ is absolute nonsense. Do not ever tell her that she should or should not do something because she is a girl. ‘Because you are a girl’ is never reason for anything. Ever.” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions"
• “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou
• “Some leaders are born women.” ― Geraldine Ferraro
• “I am a woman and a warrior. If you think I can’t be both, you’ve been lied to.” ― Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, "The Map of Salt and Stars"
• “Feminism...is not ‘women as victims’ but women refusing to be victims.” ― Gloria Steinem, "The Trouble With Rich Women"
• “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens” ― Michelle Obama
• “I am not ashamed to dress ‘like a woman’ because I don’t think it’s shameful to be a woman.” ― Iggy Pop
• “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” ― Serena Williams
• “Women have always been the strong ones of the world.” ― Coco Chanel
• “It’s not about how many times you get rejected or fall down or are beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.” ― Lady Gaga
• “The biggest barrier for women is the thought that they can’t have it all.” ― Cathy Engelbert
•  “A woman is like a tea bag — you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” ―  Eleanor Roosevelt
• “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants” — Coco Chanel

Throughout the month of March,  TODAY.com  is celebrating women across generations who have made history and continue to move the conversation forward by breaking stigmas, sparking dialogue and inspiring the next generation.

Quotes for every occasion

• Positive quotes to brighten even the rainiest of days
• Family quotes to show your love to the people who matter most
• Success quotes that'll motivate you to keep moving forward
• Happy quotes that are sure to bring the sunshine

Fadzai Mushayamunda is a NBC Page and contributing writer for TODAY.com. Her interests lie in news, lifestyle and pop culture content. She holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Wofford College.

17 Essays by Female Writers That Everyone Should Read

As the VIDA count shows, the ratio of male to female writers published in literary journals, magazines, and book reviews remains largely disproportionate in favor of male writers. In the conversation around this imbalance, some have suggested (among other silly arguments) that women should simply write about more important subjects. The folks over at Creative Nonfiction , the literary magazine that this year celebrates its 20 th consecutive year of publication, scoff at this assessment of the situation. In fact, CNF ’s current issue, “ Female Form ,” includes only essays by female writers. While the theme of the issue was initially unintentional, CNF’ s editors think this only shows that there are indeed plenty of women writing serious nonfiction; they’re just not getting the serious attention they deserve. Just to hammer the point home, the magazine curated this list of 17 essays by female writers every woman (and man) should read. Check them out after the jump, and if we missed any of your favorites, add them to CNF ‘s list in the comments.

“ Split at the Root ,” Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich was one of the major feminist writers of the 20th century, and throughout her many volumes of poetry and essays, she has voiced the struggles to establish identity — especially female identity. In 1982’s “Split at the Root,” Rich recalls growing up in a Southern, Christian household, and frets over the significance of identifying — as an adult — as Jewish.

“Living Like Weasels,” Annie Dillard

This essay, excerpted from Dillard’s memoir, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , begins with a moment at Hollins Pond where Dillard and a weasel lock eyes and swap brains. “If you and I looked at each other that way, our skulls would split and drop to our shoulders,” Dillard writes. The essay then explodes into an exploration, in Dillard’s unforgettably imaginative and passionate style, of what we might learn from the weasels about living in the present moment, “noticing everything, remembering nothing, choosing the given with a fierce and pointed will.” If this essay does not make you see the world like a weasel, it will at least make you want to see the world with Dillard’s inexhaustible sense of wonder.

“ Heroin/e ,” Cheryl Strayed (1999)

“I wanted my mother to love me, but more. I wanted her to prove it, to live, to be a heroine. To go to battle and win. And if she was going to die, I wanted her to tell me, in the end, how I should live without her.” Writing in her distinctive emotionally raw and straightforward style, Cheryl Strayed introduces us in this heart-wrenching essay to many of the themes and stories more fully explored in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail : the author’s mother’s early death, the crumbling of her first marriage, and her addiction to heroin in her early 20s. (Strayed fans will also want to check out her new interview with Elissa Bassist in the latest issue of Creative Nonfiction ; they discuss fame, writerly jealousy, and writing like a motherf*#ker.)

“The Solace of Open Spaces,” Gretel Ehrlich

Gretel Ehrlich has become one of today’s most influential environmental writers; she is well known for her work exploring the relationship between land and culture, often focusing on rapidly disappearing or isolated landscapes. She began her writing career with 1985’s The Solace of Open Spaces , a collection of personal essays about her time working as a rancher in Wyoming following the death of her partner. The eponymous and first essay from that collection, lyrically beautiful and haunting, specifically explores how the history of settlement in barren and remote Wyoming influences the culture of the scattered ranchers and farmers making their lives there.

“The Ugly Tourist,” Jamaica Kincaid

“You make a leap from being that nice blob just sitting like a boob in your amniotic sac of the modern experience to being a person visiting heaps of death and ruin and feeling alive and inspired at the sight of it.” A must-read for anyone who dreams of a tropical vacation, this ruthless essay, written in 1988, forces us to take a good look at what it means to be a tourist and what it is we think we’re escaping when we travel. Antiguan-born, Kincaid specifically talks about the conditions on islands, such as her home, where a certain brand of tourism continues to flourish, which ignores the hardships of islanders’ lives.

“Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” Joan Didion

It would be impossible to put together this list without including this powerhouse of literary journalism, a seminal figure in the New Journalism movement of the ’60s who has since become one of our most beloved and prolific writers. Famed for her clear-eyed and vivid descriptions of her home state, California, in “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” Didion explores Haight-Ashbury in 1968, at the height of counterculture.

“ The Fourth State of Matter ,” Jo Ann Beard

This moving essay captures the events in Jo Ann Beard’s life preceding and surrounding the 1991 shooting at the University of Iowa, which claimed the lives of four faculty members and one student in the physics department, where Beard worked part-time. The juxtaposition of Beard’s daily struggles — caring for her sick dog, navigating a separation, and getting rid of squirrels from her attic — with the shooting underscores the unpredictability, shock, and otherworldliness of tragedy.

Photo Credit: Star Black

“ Against Nature ,” Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates, one of the most prolific writers of our time, is also — to judge from this essay — one of our most prolific readers. Ruminating on her own body and relationship to nature, and surveying (many) other writers’ depictions of nature, Oates ultimately disagrees with the writers she cites that nature is “an experience.” “Against Nature” builds to a conclusion that is as unique as Oates’ own place within the literary landscape.

“ No Name Woman ,” Maxine Hong Kingston

Every family has at least one big secret. In this imaginative and brave essay, second-generation Chinese immigrant Maxine Hong Kingston tells us what she knows and what she imagines about her aunt, who became pregnant outside of her marriage, gave birth in a pigsty, and drowned herself and her baby in a well. Hong Kingston gives her relative a voice by imagining her story, and makes us consider what silence can do to a person’s memory within a family.

“ My Misspent Youth ,” Meghan Daum

The dream is not always what it seems. Ever since visiting the apartment of a music copyist with her father as a girl, Meghan Daum confesses, she had romanticized living in New York. She details her fantasies of a life accessorized with an apartment with oak floors, “faded Persian rugs… and NPR humming from the speakers.” The essay was published in 1999, but the struggle to “make it” in New York is, if anything, more challenging today (as any fan of Girls knows). Daum details her efforts, as a young woman working in publishing, to attain her dream of being a successful writer, and her painful decision ultimately to leave the city, dragging her debt behind her.

“ Shunned ,” Meredith Hall (2003)

Today, we have Sixteen and Pregnant and Teen Mom , but the world was not always thus. In “Shunned,” Meredith Hall recalls being a pregnant teenager in a small community in the 1960s, cut off by her family, church, and community. “The price I paid seems still to be extreme,” Hall reflects, in this moving exploration of the facades communities maintain, as well as the costs individuals pay for not belonging.

“ He and I ,” Natalia Ginzburg

“He loves museums and I will go if I am forced to but with an unpleasant sense of effort and duty. He loves libraries and I hate them.” Do opposites attract, and can they stay together? With a simple and matter-of-fact tone, acclaimed Italian writer Natalia Ginzburg chronicles the telling details of a 20-year relationship. This poignant essay sneaks up on you, and by the end leaves you breathless at the way one moment can influence who we become and how we see the people we love.

“ Notes on a Difficult Case ,” Ruthann Robson

At age 42, attorney Ruthann Robson was diagnosed with a tumor in her liver; doctors pronounced her “hopeless, incurable, and inoperable.” Robson suffered the effects of toxic chemotherapy and the condescension of her doctors for asking questions. Desperate and finally deciding to seek a second opinion, she discovered she had been misdiagnosed; her tumor was easily operable. “Notes on a Difficult Case” explores Robson’s search for justice amid the frustrating legal intricacies of medical malpractice.

“ The Fracking of Rachel Carson ,” Sandra Steingraber (2012)

The dangers and drama of hyrdrofracking are attracting increasing visibility ( Gasland ; 60 Minutes stories showing tap water that catches on fire; and even a new Matt Damon flick, Promised Land) . Focusing specifically on Rachel Carson’s homeland of Pennsylvania, the heart of the Marcellus Shale fracking boom, acclaimed ecologist Steingraber details Carson’s own battle throughout her lifetime to raise awareness about the effects of pollution. This essay is a must-read for anyone with an interest in the implications of fracking for our health, or who worries about Carson’s prophecy for future silent springs.

“ The Bitch is Back,” Sandra Tsing Loh (2011)

At the beginning of this rollicking tour through modern hormonal advice, Sandra Tsing Loh declares herself the reader’s “Virgil to the literature of menopause.” What follows is a hilarious analysis of the recommendations made to women coping with the effects of mid-life changes — and for the record, women between 44 and 65 is currently America’s largest demographic group. But no matter your age or gender, Tsing Loh’s Sedaris-like wit makes this essay a fun and thought-provoking piece that asks us to re-examine what we mean by a “normal” woman.

“Street Haunting,” Virginia Woolf

Can we ever really escape ourselves? Nope – -or at least, Virginia Woolf could not. In “Street Haunting,” she takes the reader along on a seemingly humdrum evening walk to pick up a lead pencil. But what we really get is a peek into Woolf’s wild consciousness; this essay is one reason why many point to her as one of the originators of the personal essay form. (It’s also worth reading strictly for Woolf’s vivid descriptions of 1920s London.)

“ Joy ,” Zadie Smith (2013)

Children — as many a parent has realized — are a joy, but not always a pleasure. In this essay that ranges through the many experiences of adulthood (you know: taking ecstasy in nightclubs; being so carelessly in love the thought of breaking an ankle seems a trifle; becoming a parent) the incomparable Zadie Smith puzzles over the differences between joy — which she describes as a “strange admixture of terror, pain, and delight” — and pleasure.

Women and Their Achievement Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Marie Sklodowska-Curie once said, “We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained” (qtd. in Hutchens 156). These words should be used as a credo by every woman who believes that they were born for something great and that they have enough talent to achieve their goals. Women should realize that they have the inner strength to overcome obstacles and achieve any goals, even in those situations when they can be viewed as non-powerful, when they are discriminated against, or when they are limited in their resources. There are many examples in the past and present that demonstrate the variety of women’s achievements and support the idea that each woman can accomplish even more than she believes.

History tells us of many famous women who contributed to changing the roles of females in both the past and modern society and who emphasized the paths for future accomplishments. However, what can the past teach ordinary females in regard to the opportunities that are open to them? To answer this question, it is necessary to refer to the words by Marie Sklodowska-Curie one more time.

The main idea hidden in this statement is that each woman has the unique potential that she can realize in her everyday life if she accepts the fact that each female is talented. She also needs to concentrate on attaining the concrete goal. Thus, the examples of the past demonstrate that only those women who believed in their uniqueness could achieve such high results (Goldsmith 22). Still, what about those ordinary women who have no revolutionary ideas to realize during their lives?

Every woman does a lot of work every day in order to support her family. The focus on the family is also characteristic of the women living in the United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, women should remember that the role of an achiever or a leader can be associated with almost any mother, wife, and daughter, as it is stated by Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, in her book.

Those activities that are completed by women during their everyday life can tell more about a female than those steps that were taken only occasionally. However, each woman should remember that she has the enormous potential to become not only a good mother and wife but also an excellent educator, professional, and leader because the talents of women are not limited (Sandberg 102). Every day, these women prove that they can do even more.

Still, what can prevent women from believing in themselves and achieving more? The answer is rather simple. The problem is fears, a lack of ambition, and developed stereotypes. However, women should not fear to realize their potential and concentrate on their personal and professional passions. The examples of Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan al Qasimi and Maitha Salem Al-Shamsi are important to the discussion in this case because these unique women proved their right to play the roles of activists, leaders, and administrators in the United Arab Emirates (De Lafayette 38).

The world has changed as well as the role of women in it. Therefore, each woman needs to believe in the idea that she can achieve more through her everyday activities and focus on talents and interests that could be hidden for years because of fears and stereotypes.

Each woman has the power to demonstrate that there are no barriers or limits that can prevent women from developing personally and professionally. In spite of the fact that the position of women is not strong in some cultures and nations, what matters is the inner strength that these females have in order to perform as achievers in their families and communities. When a woman believes in her power, she can become not only more successful but also happier.

Thus, women need to believe that they have enough determination and confidence in order to choose the path in their life and succeed in it (Brewer 43). In this context, the focus does not matter, because both family and profession can be discussed as good choices for a woman. The main idea should be viewed from another perspective: Actually, the female’s achievements are not associated with her career progress, political activism, or discoveries (Janjuha-Jivraj and Chisholm 10). These accomplishments are associated with the everyday contributions to the family and community life, where women play the roles of supporters and leaders.

It is important to emphasize this idea one more time: Women have inner strength, and their power is in the actions that they do every day. As a result, women can change the world this way. Moreover, women can make the world warmer, fairer, and more peaceful. Thus, each woman can make a contribution to the development of society while believing in her powers and focusing on her talents. In this case, such a contribution cannot be overestimated because the woman’s impact is significant.

Works Cited

Brewer, Ann. Leadership, Coaching and Followership . New York: Springer, 2014. Print.

De Lafayette, Maximillien. The 1000 Most Important Women of the Middle East and the Arab World. London: Lulu Press, 2013. Print.

Goldsmith, Marshall. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful . New York: Profile Books, 2010. Print.

Hutchens, Jeff. The Coaching Calendar: Daily Inspiration from the Stress-Less Coach . London: Lulu Press, 2013. Print.

Janjuha-Jivraj, Shaheena, and Kitty Chisholm. Championing Women Leaders: Beyond Sponsorship . New York: Springer, 2016. Print.

Sandberg, Sheryl. Lean in: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead . New York: Random House, 2013. Print.

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A Woman in Today's’ Society is a Woman with Power

by Andrienne A. Espiritu, CED-IDS | Mar 09 2020

In 2019, the Department of English of the College of Arts and Social Sciences conducted the 2nd Women's Month on-the-spot essay writing contest. 

This year's Women's Month, the Institute is featuring the winning entries of last year's essay writing competition. 

Below is the  2nd runner up essay entry written by Andrienne A. Espiritu of MSU-IIT Integrated Developmental School.

Woman. Who is she to people? Is she the Mother who lights a house with Grace and sacrifice? Is she the fiery member of the workplace who works day and night with the vision of hum but never the roar. Is she the shadow of a weary man’s success? Woman, always the essential darkness of somebody else’s night.

Throughout history, women have been marginalized and oppressed in this patriarchal society. They are often subjected to lesser roles and menial jobs; or worse, not expected to work at all. Society has always put women as an extension or being next to men. Because of this, they have learned to slowly blend in the background, to work behind the scenes, to stay silent in a world dominated by men. But when a staggering fifty percent of the world’s population is oppressed and forced to stay on the wayside, it does not take long for them to realize their worth, to start seeing a world where they may be significant. The role of women has drastically changed over the course of history, thanks to people who fought for women’s rights. However, we have not completely eradicated the division between men and women. In some parts of the globe, there are still people who stereotype women, immediately assuming they are of lesser roles, classifying them as housewives, or denying them opportunities. There are several cultures that believe a woman exists only so that she can be sold, married, and be of service to men. There are many practices that we are blind too because some of us are privileged enough to live in a society where women are rising to the same roles as men. Ironically, there are still women who have not realized their worth and freedom, women who continue to be oppressed, abused, and treated as objects. And it is up to the empowered women to raise the marginalized women along with them.

We have taught women to build themselves smaller than men. Taught them that if they can offer thunder and the man can only produce a mere clap, then they should stay silent instead. Women have shrunk themselves to a size men can conveniently handle. They try to fit in the small boxes this society has built for them when clearly, they are made for something much bigger. They stay at home brewing ideas with the knowledge that if they come out of the world, it would be a magnificent sight. Despite the struggles that women have been through and continue to go through, nothing stops them from achieving their absolute best. When we look back in history, we can see that many women have excelled in fields traditionally assigned to men or believed only men can achieve.  For example, Ada Lovelace, known to be the first computer program. Who would have thought that a woman could also excel in an area dominated by men? Marie Curie, the first person to win a Nobel prize twice in two different fields of science. She paved the way for many discoveries we now have. There was Frida Kahlo, whose bold paintings opened up conversations on taboo topics about women. These women had the courage to jump through loops, to go through needle-sized holes with the knowledge that the pathway towards success for women is laid out with more swerves and bumps. These women and many other women who fought courageously have shed light on women’s contributions in today’s society.

The women that we see today are empowered women. They continue to contribute to various aspects and excel at what they do. They radiate motivation and exude excellence; they are pioneers of change. They are equipped with the knowledge that they have the ability to change the world. They are no longer afraid to step out into the light. From the many years of living in the shadows, they have come to realize that the light they’ve been taught to stay away from is a brightness they yearn. To bathe in this light is not a fault, to find happiness in recognition is not something to be ashamed of. In this modern world, women are foundations for success. They venture into the world not as inferior beings but as equal partners alongside men. They explore new ideas and touch topics they’ve been afraid to open up before. They inspire other people. Children too looked up to women. The daughters of today’s society are filled with hope knowing that they are able to grow in a healthy world where they are not criticized for being a woman. The women of today are leaders, achievers, innovators; they are power with grace, a strict motivator with an inborn sense of love and compassion.

They say a woman finally becomes herself when she speaks without permission. And every word, every action, every deed that a woman does today without fear of being judged is a justice for all women who have fiercely fought the battle for equality. Woman. Who is she to the people? She is the raging anthem for every hopeful soul and the burning fire that swallows all fear and darkness. She is the figure that does not only stand up for herself but for thousands of other women who stand alongside her. She is no longer confined into darkness; rather, she dances underneath the warm light. She is fearless with her mouth and tongue and the unfailing courage to speak up. She is unbothered by society’s double standards and she will fight for her rights and the rights of other women who do not have voices to speak their truth. She is a woman. Fearless and brave- everything a woman is born to be.

_____________________________________________

Andrienne is an 18-year-old senior high school student from MSU-IIT IDS and is currently enrolled in the STEM strand. Her dream of becoming a board-certified ObGyn stems from the fact that she wants to dedicate her professional life working with women and empowering them. She strongly believes in being environmentally conscious and tries her best to practice an eco-friendly way of living. When she is not caught up in academic work, she likes to bake, write, watch slam poetry videos, and binge-watch tv shows. She is slowly learning to appreciate parts of herself society forces her to discard; she hopes to help others do the same.

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Lady Macbeth as Powerful

The essay below uses this simple structure:, an introductory paragraph to summarise an answer to the question, one paragraph about the extract, one about the rest of the play, one about context., lady macbeth:, the raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of duncan, under my battlements. come, you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full, of direst cruelty. make thick my blood., stop up the access and passage to remorse ,, that no compunctious visitings of nature, shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between, the effect and it come to my woman’s breasts,, and take my milk for gall , you murd'ring ministers,, wherever in your sightless substances, you wait on nature’s mischief. come, thick night,, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes,, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry “hold, hold”, starting with this speech, explain how far you think shakespeare presents lady macbeth as a powerful woman., write about:, how shakespeare presents lady macbeth in this speech, how shakespeare presents lady macbeth in the play as a whole., the essay below is written using a simple structure:, an introductory paragraph to summarise an answer to the question., one paragraph about the extract., one about the rest of the play., before you read the answer below, why not have a think about how you'd answer this question. i've highlighted the quotes i'd write about - do you agree or would you focus elsewhere also, which sections from the rest of the play would you focus on and what contextual factors influenced lady macbeth's presentation, most importantly, though, have a think about how you'd write that opening paragraph - answer the question in two or three simple sentences., an example answer, during the majority of the play, lady macbeth is presented as being a powerful woman who defies the expected gender stereotype of the caring, soft, gentle female. by the end of the play, however, she kills herself as she discovers that although she can order the rest of the world around, she cannot control her own guilt, right at the opening of this speech, lady macbeth makes her position known when she describes “my” battlements. the use of the possessive pronoun emphasises that she thinks of the castle walls as being her own. she follows this by calling “come you spirits.” the use of this magic spell has two effects on the audience: firstly, she is calling for dark magic to come and support her. this would have reminded the audience of the possibility that she was a witch and had all the evil powers connected with them. also, she is using an imperative here: “come you spirits.” she’s not asking them but telling them. this shows that she expects even the supernatural world to answer to her demands. one of the things she demands is that they “stop up the access and passage to remorse.” this means that lady macbeth doesn’t want to feel any regret for what she is about to do, which would make her powerful. she is no longer going to be slowed down by feelings of compassion or care in her pursuit of power. finally, she says that the spirits should “take my milk for gall.” here, she is asking that her own milk be turned to poison. this suggests that she is turning something caring and supportive into something deadly, giving her even more evil powers. also, milk is pure white and suggests innocence and purity so lady macbeth is asking that what is innocent and pure about her gets turned into something deadly. throughout this speech lady macbeth sets herself up as being someone very powerful, who is able to control even the spirits., her power continues throughout the play. lady macbeth suggests the murder and talks macbeth into it – showing that she is powerfully persuasive. she also plans the murder, showing that she is intelligent as well. she also stays calm under pressure, such as when macbeth arrives with the daggers from the murder scene but lady macbeth returns them to the scene so that they don’t get caught. she is also able to manipulate macduff when she faints in shock after they discover duncan’s body. you could easily argue that lady macbeth’s ambition was more powerful than macbeth’s, and that the murder wouldn’t have ever happened with her involvement. she is determined to become powerful and will stop at nothing to get it. at the end the play though she is caught sleepwalking, and she confesses to all that they’ve done. this is interesting, however, as while she is sleep-walking she is not in control of herself so she is not really aware of what she’s doing. it could be the case that lady macbeth herself never felt guilty, though she couldn’t hide her real feelings from her dreams. in the end, she dies. malcolm claims that she killed herself quite violently, but since it happens off-stage we cannot be sure. what is clear is that although she could push macbeth around, and trick macduff, and even order the spirits to do her bidding, she couldn’t order the blood off her own hands., shakespeare presents a very powerful female character in lady macbeth, and although this would have been quite radical for people in jacobean england there were other powerful, female role models to choose from: bloody mary or queen elizabeth are good examples. this play, however, was written for king james who had just taken the throne of england, and james was not a fan of queen elizabeth – who had killed his mother, mary queen of scots (and he might not even have been a big fan of his mum, because she married the man who killed his dad) as a result, james would have enjoyed seeing this powerful woman become such a villain and then getting punished for her crimes..

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Harris Hits Core Campaign Themes in Emotional Forum With Oprah Winfrey

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke off the cuff, as guests included a teenager shot at her school and the family of a woman in Georgia who died as a result of the state’s abortion ban.

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Harris Joins Oprah at Michigan Campaign Event

The vice president answered questions from the audience, detailing her position on issues like immigration and gun control..

“Thanks for joining us. Everybody on screen. Thank you. Thanks for joining us for this very special event, ‘Unite for America.’” “What would be your specific steps to strengthening the border?” “I take very seriously the importance of having a secure border. When the United States Congress, members of the Congress, including some of the most conservative Republicans, came up with a border security bill, Donald Trump called up those folks and said, ‘Don’t put that bill on the floor for a vote.’” “Will you reintroduce that?” “Absolutely, and when I am elected president of the United States, I will make sure that bill gets to my desk and I will sign it into law.” “Where were you physically shot?” “I was shot right here on my shoulder and then around here.” “The wrist.” “I’m in favor of the Second Amendment, and I’m in favor of assault weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws. These are just common sense.” “I thought it was so powerful at the convention when you said you have guns. No, at the debate. At the debate —” “I’m a gun owner. Tim Walz is a gun —” “I did not know that.” “If somebody breaks in my house, they’re getting shot. Sorry.” “Yes, yes, I hear that. I hear that.” “Probably should not have said that, but my staff will deal with that later.”

By Erica L. Green

Reporting from Washington

• Sept. 20, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris harnessed the star power of one of her most powerful surrogates — and one of America’s foremost interviewers — to lay out a pitch for her campaign on Thursday, as she confronted a range of pressing issues during a livestream forum with Oprah Winfrey.

The event, “Unite for America,” was hosted by Ms. Winfrey and drew hundreds of thousands of viewers, bolstering a strategy that Ms. Harris’s campaign sees as crucial to reaching voters in battleground states and beyond in November.

The event brought together members of over 100 online groups that have coalesced around Ms. Harris since she became the Democratic nominee, including White Dudes for Harris , Cat Ladies for Kamala and Latinas for Harris. Also joining virtually were celebrities that included Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lopez, Tracee Ellis Ross and Meryl Streep.

But the most remarkable moments in the roughly 90-minute forum came when Ms. Winfrey did what she does best: orchestrating an interview that connects with everyday Americans whose experiences illustrate the strife of a country craving empathy. The discussions were heavy at times, with members of the audience — in person and at home — in tears.

Ms. Harris has not often spoken off the cuff or at length about many issues since she catapulted to the top of the ticket after President Biden dropped out of the race. Here she addressed questions from the audience and Ms. Winfrey about issues like immigration and gun violence, and what would happen if her opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, didn’t accept the results of the election should he lose a second time.

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