Feel inspired with these incredible quotes from Oprah, Meghan, Chrissy and more

International Women’s Day is one of the best times to remind women everywhere that they are capable of greatness. From mothers to friends, CEOs to students, greatness can come in large acts, like starting a company, or quieter moments, like supporting another woman in her time of need.

Even the most positive people can still benefit from words of encouragement, motivation and inspiration, which is why today we’re looking at some of the best quotes from women who have a platform and are using it to help other women feel less alone, get inspired, and pull up a seat at the table.

Oprah Winfrey

In 2018, Oprah Winfrey delivered a breathtaking speech while receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. Touching on race, class, gender and freedom of the press in her speech, Winfrey told the story of Recy Taylor, a Black woman who was kidnapped and raped in 1944 on her way home from church in Alabama. Taylor reported her horrific attack to the NAACP, which at the time included a young recruit named Rosa Parks. Winfrey, who has spoken about her own sexual assault, delivered a powerful message to all women who when faced with the unimaginable continue to fight.

“I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years, and even now tormented, goes marching on. It was somewhere in Rosa Parks’ heart almost 11 years later, when she made the decision to stay seated on that bus in Montgomery, and it’s here with every woman who chooses to say, “Me too.” And every man – every man who chooses to listen.”

Michelle Obama

The former first lady of the United States has no shortage of inspiring quotes to choose from, but one that has followed her throughout her illustrious career was delivered during the Democratic National Convention in 2016. Responding to Donald Trump's continued use of disgusting and offensive language, Obama encouraged her fellow Democrats to rise above the hate by passionately delivering a quote that should be emblazoned on every playground and boardroom.

“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.”

Mindy Kaling

In 2018, Mindy Kaling returned to her alma mater Dartmouth College to deliver the commencement address. It's easy to find inspirational and relatable quotes from the always hilarious and impressively prolific writer and actor, but we especially liked her message that being your own champion is more important than having the approval of others.

“My point is, you have to have insane confidence in yourself, even if it’s not real. You need to be your own cheerleader now, because there isn’t a room full of people waiting with pom poms to tell you, ‘You did it! We’ve been waiting all this time for you to succeed!’ So, I’m giving you permission to root for yourself. And while you’re at it, root for those around you, too. It took me a long time to realize that success isn’t a zero-sum game.”

Meghan Markle

Even before she was the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was using her platform to inspire and motivate others. In a 2014 post on her now defunct personal site The Tig, Markle wrote about the importance of knowing your own worth.

"You need to know that you're enough — a mantra that has now ingrained itself so deeply within me that not a day goes by without hearing it chime in my head. That five pounds lost won't make you happier, that more makeup won't make you prettier, that the now iconic saying from Jerry Maguire, 'You complete me,' frankly, isn't true. You are complete with or without a partner. You are enough just as you are."

Gabrielle Union

Following her very public firing from America's Got Talent, Gabrielle Union took a massive risk by speaking out against ABC and going public with incidents of racism she witnessed during her time as a judge on the reality series. Shortly after, she spoke to Variety about the importance of using your voice to help correct a wrong.

“I know it’s scary to stick your neck out, and get an ounce of power and have to share it. It’s not what we’re taught, but you don’t have to sacrifice your soul to do it. There’s another way, and I’m committed to finding it.”

Lulu Wang

Director Lulu Wang’s semi-autobiographical film The Farewell was a success with critics and audiences, even if the Academy Awards made a huge, huge mistake by not nominating her for Best Director. Wang’s path towards making the feature film was one that was met with several obstacles, including production companies that wanted Wang to whitewash the cast. In a 2019 interview with IndieWire, Wang talked about the importance of staying true to her vision and the power of no.

“In making ‘The Farewell,’ I learned the power of saying ‘no.’ I said no to a lot of opportunities to make the film because we didn’t share the same vision.”

Lena Waithe

In 2017, Lena Waithe became the first Black woman to ever win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on the Thanksgiving episode of Master of None. The actor and writer used her time on stage to celebrate the LGBTQIA community.

“I see each and every one of you. The things that make us different, those are our superpowers — every day when you walk out the door and put on your imaginary cape and go out there and conquer the world because the world would not be as beautiful as it is if we weren’t in it.”

Viola Davis

During her 2018 interview with Tina Brown at the Women in the World Los Angeles Salon, Viola Davis talked about her incredible career spanning the film and stage and resulting in Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Awards. Comparing herself to Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore, Davis, who like her peers was formally trained at Julliard, says she still must fight to be paid what she’s worth.

“OK, then if there’s no one like me, you think I’m that, you pay me what I’m worth.”

Issa Rae

Insecure creator, writer and actor Issa Rae appeared on the cover of Paper magazine in February 2021 and was interviewed by Tracee Ellis Ross. When asked by the Black-ish star about what Rae has learned after five years of making her brilliant HBO series, Rae said that staying true to her vision has been crucial.

“Definitely to stop being afraid to speak up, to say no, don't try to please everyone. Make the show that you want to make. That was something that I learned thankfully early on, through great mentors shepherding me into this industry. That has been incredibly helpful to my own confidence. I think I need to step back and act like I'm going to be here for a while, because it will impact the decisions that I make in a better way. I have to bet on myself. It's scary because there are so many pressures out there and I'm trying to learn not to put pressure on myself. Because that can dictate what you can and cannot do.”

Serena Williams

In the interview for her 2019 Allure magazine cover, Serena Williams talked about what lessons she hopes to help instill in her young daughter, Olympia.

“Being strong is never easy. Not in this world we are living in… Standing up for yourself is not going to be easy, but it’s always eventually respected. Those are the people who’ve made a difference in this world, people that stand up for what’s right. If you look at history, those are the people that you really remember.”

Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh went from YouTube start to late-night TV star thanks to her honest and vulnerable videos that struck a chord with millions around the world. In her self-help book How To Be A Bawse: A Guide To Conquering Life, Singh compiles a treasure trove of inspirational advice, including how to deal with nerves.

“Being scared and nervous means you care, and not only is caring a beautiful thing, but it also means you value the outcome of a situation. However, fear and nervousness become problematic when they affect your performance. Understanding when to adopt and abandon these feelings is an important first step in controlling them. It’s helpful to think of fear and nerves as an outfit you wear before doing something nerve-racking. Don’t try to avoid these feelings altogether; rather, get comfortable with taking the outfit off when it’s time to execute.”

Alessia Cara

In 2018, Canadian musician Alessia Cara should have been celebrating her Grammy win for Best New Artist, but instead the 21-year-old singer was receiving death threats online from people who didn't feel like she deserved the award. Cara fought back, posting a lengthy Instagram caption that sent the haters directly to the left.

“I will not let everything I’ve worked for be diminished by people taking offence to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck. here’s something fun! I’ve been thinking I suck since I was old enough to know what sucking meant. I’ve beat u to it. And that’s why this means a lot to me. despite my 183625 insecurities, I’ve been shown that what I’ve created is worth something and that people actually give a shit. all of the years feeling like I wasn’t good at anything or that I was naive for dreaming about something improbable have paid off in a way that I have yet to process.”

Beyoncé

Following her ethereal performance (religious experience?) at the 2017 Grammys, Beyoncé returned to the stage to accept her well-deserved award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. The iconic singer talked about why it was important to her to use her platform to help all children and adults see themselves in mainstream media.

"It's important to me to show images to my children that reflect their beauty, so they can grow up in a world where they look in the mirror, first through their own families — as well as the news, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the White House, and the Grammys — and see themselves and have no doubt that they're beautiful, intelligent, and capable. This is something I want for every child of every race. And I feel it's vital that we learn from the past and recognize our tendencies to repeat our mistakes."

Chrissy Teigen

Following the devastating loss of her son Jack, Chrissy Teigen bravely shared her story of pregnancy loss on social media and later wrote about her family's experience on Medium, helping to destigmatize the topic of miscarriage. In her lengthy and emotional essay, Chrissy reminded readers to be kind to all those they encounter and encouraged women to grieve in whatever way best serves them.

“The worst part is knowing there are so many women that won’t get these quiet moments of joy from strangers. I beg you to please share your stories and to please be kind to those pouring their hearts out. Be kind in general, as some won’t pour them out at all.”

Kelly Clarkson

During a 2020 interview with Glamour magazine, Kelly Clarkson talked about her difficult upbringing, which included being abandoned by her father at a young age. As an adult, Clarkson has made peace with her childhood trauma and found the strength that comes from loss.

"There are always things that happen that come up that bum you out, but at the same time you've got to recognize at some point though, that it's made you who you are. So, you just take your cards you're dealt, and you do the best you can with them."

Taylor Swift

In 2016, Taylor Swift was on stage accepting a Grammy for Album of the Year only weeks after Kanye West had released his single “Famous” where he took credit for Swift’s success. Swift addressed the lyrics during her speech, reminding women to surround themselves with people who celebrate their success.

"As the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but, if you just focus on the work and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you're going you'll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

In a 2015 interview with New You magazine, Priyanka Chopra Jonas dispelled the notion of relying on hope alone and instead encouraged women to steer their lives in the direction they want it to go.

“I don’t believe in hope. I believe in taking charge of your life. I don’t think that we should say, ‘My life will change and be better.’ It’s important to work backwards: Identify what your goal is and work backwards and see what route to go from there.”

Mariah Carey

In her 2020 book The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the iconic popstar shows an incredible amount of self-awareness and strength after surviving a difficult childhood and a career of major highs and lows in the public eye. Carey’s message to those who have been hurt is an important one as she encourages others to not let their past demons dictate their future happiness.

“Those people who have hurt me, over and over, whom I have escaped or walled off, are deeply significant in my story, but they are not central to my existence.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is continuing to actually make America great for all, including women. During her speech at the 2019 Women’s March in New York, AOC challenged others to speak up in the name of justice.

"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.”

BEFORE YOU GO: Harry and Meghan detail their royal struggles in Oprah interview

[video_embed id='2155888']BEFORE YOU GO: Harry and Meghan detail their royal struggles in Oprah interview[/video_embed]