There are so many inspiring and strong women that have transcended throughout history and today. As empowered women, hearing the words of others could allow us to continue feeling connected, inspired, and motivated to be our unapologetic selves. Here are some powerful words I find myself going back to.
- Maya Angealou
“Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells. Pumping in my living room…” -Maya Angelou, quotes from Still I Rise
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” – Maya AngelouÂ
Famous poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou graced humankind with her powerful words. Her poems like Still I Rise”, along with many others including “Phenomenal Women”, have many words that resonate with female empowerment. I felt like I connected with these lines a lot because of how women have been treated historically and continue to be treated. Despite all of the challenges we face, we continue to rise. We are women and no matter how many times society and the patriarchy try to bring us down, we won’t let it.Â
- “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” – Malala Yousafazai
Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education and is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate at age 17. Malala refuses to ever be silenced. She even said, “All I want is an education and I am not afraid of no one.” Malala has always been a courageous change-maker and stood up to the Taliban. This resulted in her getting shot in the head, but she has since fully recovered and is continuing to not let fear stop her. She continues to advocate for girls’ right to education worldwide through the Malala Fund.
- “In free periods, we work to free women’s periods from sexist stigma and shame. You might not know our names. So just call this tide brave-her-y. I write this not because the world is as it should be, but because we fight for what the world could be.” – Amanda Gorman, quote from Incredible
Amanda Gorman is a poet and activist focusing her work on issues of oppression, feminism, race, marginalization, and the African diaspora. Gorman is the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate and is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Her poetry and the important messages she conveys through her art takes a life of its own. Amanda Gorman embodies the title of her poem; “Incredible.”Â
- “I think every strong woman in history has had to walk down a similar path, and I think it’s the strength that causes the confusion and the fear.” – Princess Diana of Wales
The late Princess Diana worked tirelessly to help raise awareness for AIDS prevention and treatment while promoting the de-stigmatizing of HIV-positive people. She was also known to visit many hospitals and spend time with terminally ill patients. Beloved by many, she was referred to as the “People’s Princess.” In an interview, when asked about whether she’d ever be queen, she replied, “I’d like to be a queen of people’s hearts, in people’s hearts.” Princess Diana truly remains the queen of our hearts.Â
- “As the daughter of immigrants, I know the vital role that our immigrant families and communities play in making our cities more welcoming, more resilient, and more joyful. I’ve also known my whole life what it feels like to face barriers in moments of need … If we want to build a Boston for everyone, we must do so with our immigrant communities at the heart of our efforts.”  – Mayor Michelle Wu
Boston’s phenomenal mayor herself, Michelle Wu, is the definition of a dynamic leader. Mayor Wu stepped into Boston in November 2021 and has been an absolute powerhouse since. Wu remains dedicated to ending the racial wealth gap, increasing housing affordability, supporting immigrants, and so much more. She’s a queen.Â
- “I’ve always followed my heart and pursued my dreams, and I imagine that people find that inspiring. I hope that is the effect I have on my fans and people in general. I definitely want to project positive energy out into the world.” – Britney Spears
Britney Spears is and always has been a gem. Her talent is unmeasured and I am so happy that she was finally released from her unfair conservatorship. Beyond giving us BOPS, miss girl gives us kindness, dancing, fashion, love, and is a ray of sunshine who is continuing to shine her light upon the world around her. And yes, Brit, you project positive energy, and your fans love you very much.Â
- “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” – Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association to advocate for the rights of migrant farmers. Huerta coordinated nationwide lettuce, grape, and Gallo wine boycotts and helped negotiate workers’ contracts created due to the strike. Ma’am holds multiple awards for her activism and is the originator of the phrase, “SĂ, Se Puede,” which means “Yes we can.” With her hardwork and endless determination for civil rights and fair labor laws, Dolores Huerta reminds us to always stand up for what we believe in, and believe in ourselves as we do it.Â
- Audre Lorde
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre LordeÂ
“Black feminism is not white feminism in Blackface. It is an intricate movement coming out of the lives, aspirations, and realities of Black women. We share some things with white women, and there are other things we do not share. We must be able to come together around those things we share.” – Audre Lord
Audre Lorde was an American writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist, who self-described herself, as “black, lesbian, mother, warrior-poet” She dedicated both her life and her creative talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, classicism, and homophobia. Lorde was best known for her technical mastery and how she expressed her emotions beautifully through poetry, but also used poetry as an outlet to express outrage over civil and social injustices. The Poetry Foundation describes her delivery of spoken word as “powerful, melodic, and intense.” The captivating words of Audre Lorde remain with us as we rejoice in her powerful writing.Â
- “Strong Communities are born out of individuals being their best selves.” – Laura Betasamosake Simpson
Laura Betasamosake Simpson is a Mississaugua Ninshnaabeg writer, musician, and academic from Wingham, Canada. Simpson is a passionate activist involved in indigenous resistance and resurgence, anti-colonialism, prevention of gender-based violence, and the protection of indigenous homelands. Simpson was highly active in the “Idle No More” movement for indigenous rights and became a key figure after her article, “Aambe! Maajaadaa (What #IdleNoMore Means to Me)” was published. This article articulated the immense importance of protecting indigenous land bases. Simpson expresses her activism both academically and artistically and believes in the importance of grassroots mobilization and collective action amongst many to create substantial, meaningful change – which is something she always works to do.