5 Inspirational Quotes by Notable Women

This week we’ll be highlighting some inspirational quotes by some notable and accomplished women.

1. “Justice is about making sure that being polite is not the same thing as being quiet. In fact, oftentimes, the most righteous thing you can do is shake the table." - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Quite often, the brightest ideas are stifled or not even shared due to their exuberant nature. In an innovative world where progression occurs faster than we can imagine, there are still outdated trends and methods that persist. Sometimes, it just takes a spark and a sprinkle of potential to break through and reach new heights.

2. “My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” - Maya Angelou

‘Living’ is sometimes mistaken with falling into a routine or a series of habits that eventually become all we know. Life should not just be constrained to that, rather, we should aim - no - strive, to thrive. Life should be an endless journey of growth and discovery. Life should be our canvas and passion the paint; no day should be the same and self-expression should be made a norm.

3. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” - Malala Yousafzai

Regret is a common feeling. We feel it at missed opportunities and chances we lost to express our knowledge, skills, and ideas. Sometimes these regrets are because of self suppression. Sometimes we are silenced. Either way, regrets solve nothing. We should not fear to raise our voices and make ourselves heard. Our freedom cannot be taken for granted - we can create change like we couldn’t before. This freedom needs to be seized and our voices should be the driving forces behind the empowerment of today.

4. "Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create." - Oprah Winfrey 

Echoing the themes from above, we have the power to create change. We have the abilities, resources, and opportunities to make what didn’t exist before. We are the writers of our own stories and our greatest asset is our independence. Today’s day and age allows us the chance to become who and what we wish. With knowledge and experience so readily available, we should not hesitate to learn what we can and prepare for our futures. It is important to remain flexible, create a backup plan, and garner the strength to start again.

5. "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself." - Eleanor Roosevelt

We can learn from our own mistakes, true, but is it really efficient to simply rely on our own experiences? Making the most of our time does not just mean effective time management, it means to learn while living and strategize accordingly. Observation is key. Taking the time to watch others and the results of their actions can provide crucial information to help us succeed without stumbling first. And we shouldn’t be ashamed or afraid to do so! There are thousands of books, biographies, and anecdotes that reflect on the actions of others and what can be learned from them. Learn from others what you cannot learn from yourself!