#womenshistorymonth #womenbreakingbarriers
Women’s History Month has been a special time where we’ve celebrated various incredible women who have done amazing things across industries, and cultures. From art, to politics, to business to digital media, we have showcased women whose impact has been felt and seen.
To wrap up this month, here are 15 powerful quotes from extraordinary women around the world, in no particular order—along with a glimpse into their stories and achievements.
1. Gbowee (Liberia) – Activist & Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
“You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.”
Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Laureate, women’s rights activist, and Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia, is best known for bringing Muslim and Christian Liberian women together in a non-violent movement. This led to the end of a brutal fourteen-year civil war in 2003, marking a historic turning point that birthed the election of Africa’s first female head of state, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
2. Margaret Thatcher (United Kingdom) – Former Prime Minister.
“Watch your thoughts, for they will make you act. Watch your actions, for they will make your habits. Watch your habits, for they will forge your character. Watch your character, it will determine your destiny.”
Otherwise known as the “Iron Lady”, Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. She was the longest serving minister, having won three consecutive terms. Her doggedness and visionary leadership, she is best remembered for accelerating the evolution of the British Economy from Statism to Liberalism.
3. Simone Biles (United States) – Olympic Gymnast & Mental Health Advocate.
“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.”
Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts in history, with 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship titles to her name. Beyond her achievements in sports, she has been a powerful advocate for mental health and a voice for survivors of abuse.
4. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) – Economist & Director-General of WTO.
“If you want to be successful, you must be ready to work hard and not take shortcuts.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian Economist & former Finance Minister, former who has served as the first woman and the first African in the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization since 2021.
5. Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderòn (Mexico) – Artist & Feminist Icon.
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
Famed artist Carmen Frida, is highly regarded in Mexico, and around the world, for embracing the indigenous culture, and admired by feminists for her powerful portrayal of the female experience and form through her self portraits. Frida lived a life of physical pain, having suffered polio as a child, and surviving a near-death accident as a teenager which left her in a body cast.
6. Rihanna (Barbados) – Musician, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist.
“There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world.”
Grammy award winning artist, songwriter, businesswoman, actor, and philanthropist, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is the best selling female recording artist of the 21st century according to Guinness World Records. Capturing the hearts of many with her melodious voice and powerful lyrics, Rihanna has always remained at the top in various endeavors of her life.
7. Indira Gandhi (India) – First Female Prime Minister of India.
” I am in no sense a feminist, but I believe in women being able to do everything..”
In a culture where women’s rights were relegated for the longest, Indira proved that gender should in no way be a hindrance. Rising through the ranks in her political career, she became the first, and only, female Prime Minister of India, following in the footsteps of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the first Prime Minister of India. Her strong-willed personality and bold leadership earned her the nickname “Iron Lady”.
8. Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) – Education Activist & Nobel Laureate.
“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest Nobel Prize awardee in history, at the age of 17. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban because of her activism, her story gained international notoriety. Yousafzai continues advocating for Education for less privileged girls, building schools in partnership with other organizations, and condemning violence acts against indigenous groups.
9. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) – Africa’s First Female President.
“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.“
Liberian politician, and Nobel Peace Laurette, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is Africa’s first female democratically elected president. She is widely lauded for leading Liberia through post-war recovery, championing peace, justice, and promoting women’s empowerment and economic development.
10. Tarana Burke (United States) – Founder of the #MeToo Movement.
“You don’t have to be the victim to be the victor.”
Tarana Burke is an American activist who is famed for starting the #MeToo movement, sparking global discussions on sexual harassment and assault and empowering survivors around the world. Since her teenage years, she has spearheaded campaigns and launched initiatives addressing issues such as housing inequality, racial discrimination, and economic injustice.
11. Michelle Obama (United States) – Lawyer, Author, and Former First Lady.
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
Michelle Obama is the first Black First Lady of the United States, is a lawyer, bestselling author, and a dedicated advocate for education, health, and women’s empowerment. Through initiatives such as Let’s Move! and Reach Higher, she has passionately supported causes that inspire and uplift communities globally.
12. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) – Author & Feminist Icon.
“The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing how we are”.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a renowned Nigerian writer, is the author of Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and We Should All Be Feminists, and her most recent, Dream Count. Her influential TED Talk on feminism has sparked global conversations, challenging societal norms and promoting gender equality.
13. Wangari Maathai (Kenya) – Environmentalist & Nobel Peace Prize Winner.
“The generation that destroys the environment is not the generation that pays the price.”
The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai, founded the Green Belt Movement, leading the planting of millions of trees while advocating for environmental sustainability and women’s rights across Africa.
14. Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand) – Former Prime Minister & Humanitarian.
“Leadership is not about necessarily being the loudest in the room, but instead being the bridge, or the thing that is missing in the discussion, and trying to build a consensus from there.”
As New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden was recognized for her compassionate leadership, especially during challenging times such as the Christchurch mosque attack and the COVID-19 pandemic.
15. Greta Thunberg (Sweden) – Climate Activist & Time’s Youngest Person of the Year.
“You are never too small to make a difference.”
Last, but definitely not least is a quote from 22 years old global climate activist, Greta Thunberg. She sparked the “Fridays for Future” movement, inspiring millions to demand action against climate change from when she was a teenager. Greta has addressed world leaders and received numerous accolades for her advocacy.
IN CONCLUSION
These 15 women, from diverse fields and backgrounds, have made a profound impact, leaving legacies that continue to influence the world. Their words remind us that women’s voices, contributions, and leadership are vital to progress.
Beyond Women’s History Month, women should be celebrated, uplifted, and supported—because when women rise, the world rises with them.
