Discover inspirational quotes from powerful women in history, including words of wisdom from Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, and Margaret Thatcher.

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election results leaving the country divided and threatening reproductive rights, people in the nation, especially women, are afraid of what comes next. If history has taught us anything, it's that women are the backbone of nations, offering wisdom time and time again in the face of adversity.
The remarkable and powerful women who came before this generation didn't fight for women's rights in vain, and their message was to take adversity head-on and never allow intimidation to render us powerless. Inspirational women throughout history have always remained positive and hopeful that equality will be achieved and that women will be treated with the dignity and respect they are owed. This was reflected in Vice President Kamala Harris' concession speech.
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"I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do," she said.
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Keep scrolling to read a list of 11 inspirational quotes from women who've defied the status quo and changed history forever.

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

Margaret Thatcher. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Margaret Thatcher 

"A woman is like a tea bag&mdash;you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."&nbsp;

Eleanor Roosevelt. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Eleanor Roosevelt

"Women must try to do as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."&nbsp;

Amelia Earhart. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Amelia Earhart

"It is past time for women to take their rightful place, side by side with men, in the rooms where the fates of peoples, where their children&rsquo;s and grandchildren&rsquo;s fates, are decided."&nbsp;

Hillary Clinton. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Hillary Clinton

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don&rsquo;t have any."&nbsp;

Alice Walker. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Alice Walker

"I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else's whim or to someone else's ignorance."&nbsp;

Bell Hooks. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

bell hooks

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

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photography: Courtesy of Getty

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

"No one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or scornful, than the man who is anxious about his virility."&nbsp;

Simone de Beauvoir. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Simone de Beauvoir

"I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations, where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and not have their government telling them what to do."

Kamala Harris. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Kamala Harris

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal."&nbsp;

Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

"I will often say that when we fight, we win. But here&rsquo;s the thing: Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn&rsquo;t mean we won&rsquo;t win."

11 Inspirational Quotes from History’s Most Influential Women

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