I remember distinctly being in my twenties and in my naivety, believing that I would be handed the same opportunities that men in my same space were given. It was only through experience and many stops and starts in my professional life as a woman and a mother that I have come to fully understand the battle women fight on a daily basis for equal rights with men.

August 26th is a day that marks the beginning of a new era for women in the United States. On August 26th, 1920, U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation, ending the struggle women suffragists had endured for many years to gain the right to vote in our country alongside their male counterparts. 

In honor of the grit, perseverance, and ongoing effort women make to achieve their dreams, here are my twenty favorite quotes from female leaders and entrepreneurs.

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” - Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx

"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." - Shirley Chisholm, first African American Woman in Congress

“Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” – Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand

“Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” - Amelia Earhart, American Aviator and Activist 

“I talk a lot about learning to become fearless in your approach to life. But fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It’s the mastery of fear. It’s all about getting up one more time than you fall down.” - Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and CEO of Thrive Global

“In my lived experience, in order to truly make self-care a priority and not see it as selfish, you must see yourself as worthy of it.  This also applies to seeing yourself as worthy of all the opportunities that true equality provides. That journey starts with embracing all of your beautiful, complex layers that make up the tapestry that is you.  Not just the stuff you like about yourself but all of those characteristics and experiences that have led you to where you are today.” - Melissa Crook, host and founder of the F.E.E.L. Podcast

“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity! But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” – Madame C.J. Walker, American Entrepreneur and Social Activist

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady to the United States

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.” - Audrey Hepburn, British actress and cultural Icon

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." - Alice Walker, American novelist

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally.  It comes from what you do consistently.” Marie Forleo, Entrepreneur, Writer and Philanthropist

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg, second woman to serve on the Supreme Court

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” - Dolly Parton, American singer, philanthropist, and author

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey, billionaire media executive and philanthropist

"If you can dance and be free and be embarrassed, you can rule the world." - Amy Poehler, American actress, author and comedian

"Don't think about making women fit the world — think about making the world fit women.” - Gloria Steinem, American journalist and author

“There’s something special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” - Rihanna, Barbadian singer-songwriter and entrepreneur

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” - Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast 

“I am woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.” - Maya Angelou, American memoirist and poet

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” - Sheryl Sandberg, American executive, philanthropist and author of LEAN IN

Which quotes from women leaders and entrepreneurs are on your “favorites” list? Let me know in the comments!

We believe in supporting Women Entrepreneurs, Working Mothers, and Female Founded Businesses. That’s why each of our articles is sponsored by a woman-owned business. This post is sponsored by:

Tina Hamilton is a mom of 2 and a 15+ year educator turned Parent Coach for mothers ready to radically transform their experience of parenting to one of joy, ease, and loving connection. As a certified trauma-informed mentor, Tina helps stretched-thin moms with frazzled nervous systems to learn healthy, simple, and wildly effective ways to emotionally regulate themselves to create harmonious, trusting, and connected relationships with their children. For real-world parenting healing tools and resources, follow Tina on Instagram @healingparentcoach or on her website.