The best International Women's Day quotes to empower you today (and everyday)

“If they don't bring you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

6 March 2026

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International Women's Day is almost upon us – so, of course, we need some International Women's Day quotes to power us through another year of fighting the patriarchy. Established officially in 1977 (after being adopted by the United Nations), IWD represents an annual opportunity to strive towards a gender-equal world, together with celebrating the achievements of women past and present.

This year, IWD's theme is “Give to Gain.” While this global awareness day is based around collective action and community, it's also a time to remind ourselves of the vital contribution of individual women who have fought for the gender equality cause, from second-wave feminism pioneer Gloria Steinem to author and social activist bell hooks, who passed away in December 2021.

This year, we're choosing to do that through compiling our most impactful International Women's Day quotes to inspire the messages of gender equality and feminism – not just today, but every day of the year (because they're just as important year-round).

Reminding us of the value of taking up space, being unapologetic, not succumbing to gendered limitations, and redefining power out of the age-old masculine stereotypes, these International Women's Day quotes will leave you feeling inspired. Happy reading – and happy IWD!

Annie Lennox: ‘When we support feminist movements, transformation happens’

The singer, activist, and co-founder of The Circle shares an exclusive essay with GLAMOUR.

By Annie Lennox

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Here are 70 of the best International Women's Day quotes:

Another world is not only possible; she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.

– Arundhati Roy

No Black woman writer in this culture can write ‘too much’. Indeed, no woman writer can write ‘too much’ … No woman has ever written enough.

– bell hooks

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You don't have to play masculine to be a strong woman.

– Mary Elizabeth Winstead

We can only fix this world together. We can’t do it divided… We can’t let that desensitivity seep in. The, ‘If it is your problem, then it’s not mine — it’s a woman’s problem, it’s a Black people problem, it’s a poor people problem,’ and they want to break bread with you? Well, this is their problem, too.

– Rihanna

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Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.

– Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Feminism isn't about making women strong. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength.

– G.D. Anderson

I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.

– Malala Yousafzai

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There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.

– Hannah Gadsby

Who knows what women can be when they are finally free to become themselves?

– Betty Friedan

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What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? / that since day one. she’s already had everything / she needs within herself. it’s the world that / convinced her she did not.

– Rupi Kaur

My mom said to me, 'You know, sweetheart, one day you should settle down and marry a rich man. I said, ‘Mom, I am a rich man.’

– Cher

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I think every woman in our culture is a feminist. They may refuse to articulate it, but if you were to take any woman back 40 years and say, 'Is this a world you want to live in?' They would say, ‘No.’

– Helen Mirren

I know people are not used to seeing confident, educated, happy, chunky African American girls, and I don’t care. They’re just going to have to get used to it.

– Precious Lee

Nearly everything I know about love, I've learnt from my long-term friendships with women.

– Dolly Alderton

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“I will not be shamed”: Millie Bobby Brown has had enough of being scrutinised for her appearance

The actor took to Instagram to call out recent comments about her appearance.

By Ally Neagen

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

– Michelle Obama

Everything I do is for the 85-year-old me. I want her to look back and thank me.

–Jameela Jamil

Mistakes mean that you’re strong enough to try.

– Serena Williams

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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

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

– Maya Angelou

Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.

– Oprah Winfrey

No woman should be told she can't make decisions about her own body. When women's rights are under attack, we fight back.

– Kamala Harris

How the second Trump presidency will impact women across the globe

From reproductive rights to women in conflict.

By Carolyn Gevinski, Ali Pantony and Meg Walters

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I’ve been in so many spaces where I’m the first and only Black trans woman or trans woman period. I just want to work until there are fewer and fewer ‘first and only'.

– Laverne Cox

We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.

– Beyoncé

When we support feminist movements, transformation happens.

– Annie Lennox

I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.

– Maya Angelou

A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.

– Irina Dunn

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You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.

– Brigham Young

When Black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.

– Angela Davis

Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.

– Maya Angelou

Aisling Bea: ‘If you're not looking after all women, that's not really feminism. That's egotism’

Aisling's lessons in motherhood, the best advice she's received, and the dark reason why Irish women are so damn funny.

By Charley Ross

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It’s not about how many times you get rejected or fall down or are beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.

– Lady Gaga

I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and confidently themselves.

– Meryl Streep

If they don't bring you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.

– Shirley Chisholm

Different is good. When someone tells you that you are different, smile hold your head up and be proud.

– Angelina Jolie

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I get a bad rep sometimes for being too mouthy. I just think we need, as women, to get a bit louder.

– Chrishell Stause

The main thing for mental health is being surrounded by people that understand what you need. And when you don't, you learn how to lean on yourself in a gracious and patient way.

– Victoria Canal

The most radical thing you can do is be happy.

– Beth Ditto

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If there's a man in the front, you better believe there are 10 women behind him that are really making things happen.

– Tiffany Boone

Anything that exists outside of the status quo is a threat, because it’s an opportunity for free thinking.

Jodie Turner-Smith

One thing I'll never shy away from is being Black. Why? Because it is my skin. I can't take it off. And even if I could, I wouldn't because it's gorgeous, it's beautiful.

– Desiree Henry

Team GB’s Desiree Henry: ‘I want to tell women that it's okay to have big muscles’

The Olympic sprinter will represent Team GB in the women's 4x100m relay.

By Shaunelle Harrydass-Clark

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We dress up to feel fierce, strong and powerful.

– Lina and Laviai Nielsen

Self-empowerment means having the courage to ask for what you want and need.

– Gillian Anderson

It’s incredibly important for me to see women living unconventional lives.

– Suki Waterhouse

Stay afraid but do it anyway. What's important is the action.

– Carrie Fisher

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You are allowed to be radical and have strong thoughts that others might not agree with.

– Alicia Keys

I do not wish them women to have power over men; but over themselves.

– Mary Wollstonecraft

Now, we are becoming the men we wanted to marry. Once, women were trained to marry a doctor, not be one.

– Gloria Steinem

If one man can destroy everything, why can't one girl change it?

– Malala Yousafzai

This is a battle that we will win. Because women are wittier, brighter, stronger and braver than a misogynistic and patriarchal world has given us credit for.

– Laura Bates

Crumbs can’t feed me. I want the cake.

– Florence Given

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Work hard in silence; let your success be the noise.

– Simone Biles

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.

– Alice Walker

Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.

– Michelle Obama

It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.

– Madeleine Albright

People think that at the end of the day a man is the only answer. Actually, a fulfilling job is better for me.

– Princess Diana

Follow your dreams, not your boyfriends.

– Gillian Anderson

The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another… be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.

– Serena Williams

Your voice can change the world. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

– Toni Morrison

To learn more about IWD, visit the official website.