The United States observed its inaugural “Women’s Day” in 1909 in remembrance of the 15,000 women who had marched through New York City the year before, demanding equal voting rights and higher pay. The following year, 1910, they carried out Clara Zetkin’s 1910 suggestion that “every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day.” The inaugural “International Women’s Day” was observed on March 15, 1911. March 8th was chosen as the new date in 1913, and this day has been observed ever since.
Numerous strong, accomplished women have had a lasting impact on our world in the past 110 years. From actors to academics to political figures
“A charming woman doesn’t follow the crowd; she is herself.” –Loretta Young
“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” –Hillary Clinton
“A girl should be two things: Who and what she wants.” –Coco Chanel
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” –Oprah Winfrey
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” –Maya Angelou
“Girls should never be afraid to be smart.” –Emma Watson
“I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.” –Malala
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” –Michelle Obama
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
“Women are the real architects of society.” –Cher
“You can carve your own path. Be your own kind of leader.” – Jacinda Ardern
“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
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” – Frida Kahlo
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” – Shonda Rhimes
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” – Dolly Parton
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa
“Find out who you are and be that person. That’s what your soul was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth, and everything else will come.” – Ellen DeGeneres
“Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.” – Jodie Foster
“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.” – Queen Elizabeth
“If you don’t get out of the box you’ve been raised in, you won’t understand how much bigger the world is.” – Angelina Jolie
“Be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” – Judy Garland
“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” – Taylor Swift
“Being confident and believing in your own self-worth is necessary to achieving your potential.” – Sheryl Sandberg
“You might not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your response to your circumstances.” – Condoleezza Rice
Final Thought
These are only a handful of the women, both historical and contemporary, whose knowledge has influenced our world. Strong and powerful women should be honored throughout the year, even though International Women’s Day is only observed on one day each year!