14 Empowering Quotes That Will Make You Proud To Be A Woman

Being a woman is an incredible gift and the recent wave of girl power should remind you of that. Whether a tomboy or a girly girl, gay or straight or anywhere in between, being a woman is something to celebrate and never apologize for. Sure, there is still way too much misogyny out there— I mean, we have a president who's made a damn career of it. But that makes it all the more important to never apologize and never back down. There will always being shortsighted and prejudiced men and women who think that being a woman makes you somehow less. And they can shut right the eff up.

Because far beyond the little thing called bearing actual life there are so many amazing inventions, achievements, and innovations to thank women for. Women do so much every day. Need any more convincing? BEYONCE IS A WOMAN. There, I think I've made my case.

But seriously, there are so many ways being a woman is should be a source of joy and inspiration. So live it up. And never forget Maya Angelou's famous words,

"Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?"

I hear you, Maya, I hear you.

"The most dangerous woman of all is the one who refuses to rely on your sword to save her because she carries her own."

"I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy."

"I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity."

"A real women is... whatever the hell she wants to be."

"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 ambitions and doesn't mind leading."

"As for my girls, I'll raise them to think they breathe fire."

"Some women fear the fire, some women simply become it."

"Don't stop until you're proud."

"Just a girl who decided to go for it."

"Behind every successful women is herself."

"Knowledge is proud that she knows so much, wisdom is humble that she knows no more."

"I'm not ashamed to dress 'like a woman' because I don't think it's shameful to be a woman."

"I'm proud of the woman I am because I went through a hell of a time becoming her."

"I believe some men run from strong and independent women because we WILL question, we WILL be better at somethings than you, and we WON'T blindly follow."

Women are still paid less than men, still are respected less than men, and, currently, are having pretty much every right threatened by the Republican healthcare policies. I don't know any woman who hasn't at some point in her life been made to feel less than what she's worth, just because of her sex. It's not OK. So sometimes we need a reminder of all that we have to be proud of, to celebrate— of how far we've come and why we just need to keep on fighting. We look to the Michelle Obamas, the Emma Watsons, the Amy Poehlers, and the Malala Yousafzais when we need to be reminded of our strength.

And quotes can be cheesy, but they can also be powerful. They're an instant boost, a lightening bolt that can stay with you when you're feeling tired or worn down. Because although it's a fight we shouldn't still have to be fighting, it's all around us. And the current political climate is making it all the more important. So indulge in some feel good quotes that will remind you why you loving being a woman and, more importantly, why you should never, ever apologize.

Have another favorite quote that makes you proud to be a woman? SHARE it!

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