Celebrating Women's History Month: These 20 Women's Words Will Undoubtedly Inspire You

Words to live by from Amy Poehler, Michelle Obama, Oprah and more

01 of 20
Michelle Obama Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama. Paras Griffin/Getty

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

Michelle Obama

02 of 20
Rihanna Rihanna
Rihanna. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

"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

03 of 20
Emma Watson Emma Watson
Emma Watson. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty

"In my moments of doubt, I've told myself firmly – if not me, who? If not now, when? If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you, I hope those words might be helpful."

— Emma Watson

04 of 20
Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after the women's singles second round match between Nina Stojanovic of Serbia and Serena Williams of the United States at Australian Open in Melbourne Park Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after the women's singles second round match between Nina Stojanovic of Serbia and Serena Williams of the United States at Australian Open in Melbourne Park
CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock

"The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you're very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind and above all, be humble."

Serena Williams

05 of 20
Jessica Alba Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba. PIERRE VILLARD/SIPA/Shutterstock

"No matter how different women are, we all seem to share the guilt that we're not doing enough. If anything, I would say that as long as you're doing your best, it's more than enough."

Jessica Alba

06 of 20
Reese Witherspoon Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

"Here's my hope: If you're in politics, media, the tech industry, or working as an entrepreneur or a teacher or a construction worker or a caregiver, you know the problems we are all facing. I urge each one of you to ask yourselves: What do we do now? That's a big question. What is it in life that you think you can't accomplish? Or what is it that people have said that you cannot do? Wouldn't it feel really good to prove them all wrong? Because I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It's just believing in yourself and your abilities. Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to be a little bit more ambitious? I think the world would change."

— Reese Witherspoon

07 of 20
Beyonce Knowles-Carter Beyonce Knowles-Carter
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

"We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible."

— Beyoncé

08 of 20
Elisabeth Moss visits BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 27, 2020 in New York City Elisabeth Moss visits BuzzFeed's "AM To DM" on February 27, 2020 in New York City
John Lamparski/Getty

"I just don't really believe in mistakes and worst choices. Everything I have done and not done has made me who I am."

— Elisabeth Moss

09 of 20
Oprah's Favorite Face Masks Oprah's Favorite Face Masks
Getty Images

"When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are."

Oprah Winfrey

10 of 20
Emily Ratajkowski attends the Prada show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on February 20, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Emily Ratajkowski attends the Prada show during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on February 20, 2020 in Milan, Italy.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

"To me, 'sexy' is a kind of beauty, a kind of self-expression, one that is to be celebrated, one that is wonderfully female. Why does the implication have to be that sex is a thing men get to take from women and women give up?"

— Emily Ratajkowski

11 of 20
Image Image
Clemens Bilan/Getty

"There's one thing. Don't make it so hard for yourself. Stop bashing yourself. Don't make it so hard for yourself. You don't deserve it, and nobody deserves it. You wouldn't do that to anybody, so stop doing it to yourself."

— Charlotte Rampling

12 of 20
Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton. Cindy Ord/WireImage

"Women's rights are human rights."

— Hillary Clinton

13 of 20
Co-host Amy Poehler attends the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton and broadcast on February 28, 2021 Co-host Amy Poehler attends the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton and broadcast on February 28, 2021
Todd Williamson/NBC/Getty

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

— Amy Poehler

14 of 20
celebrating america celebrating america
getty images

"What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters. You're going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you've had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong."

— Vice President Kamala Harris

15 of 20
Malala Malala

"We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential."

— Malala Yousafzai

16 of 20
laverne cox laverne cox
Rachel Murray/Getty

"Trans rights are women's rights ... I'm a woman but I'm also trans. It's about always including trans voices in discussions about women's rights."

— Laverne Cox

17 of 20
dolores-huerta-1.jpg dolores-huerta-1.jpg
Huerta at the 2018 Academy Awards.

"We as women should shine light on our accomplishments and not feel egotistical when we do. It's a way to let the world know that we as women can accomplish great things!"

— Dolores Huerta

18 of 20
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

"Other women who are killing it should motivate you, thrill you, challenge you, and inspire you."

Taylor Swift

19 of 20
Meghan Duchess of Sussex Meghan Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle. Shutterstock

"Women don't need to find a voice. They have a voice. They need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen."

Meghan Markle

20 of 20
The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 Women In Entertainment - Arrivals The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 Women In Entertainment - Arrivals
Lena Dunham. Presley Ann/Getty Images

"Respect isn't something you command through intimidation and intellectual bullying. It's something you build through a long life of treating people how you want to be treated and focusing on your mission."

— Lena Dunham

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