Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 With Inspiring Quotes From Remarkable Women

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, discover International Woman’s Day quotes from remarkable women around the world, famous for a variety of incredible reasons.

International Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8th, is a global tribute to women’s achievements, resilience, and the ongoing fight for gender equality. As we commemorate this day in 2025—today, March 8th—we honor the voices that have shaped history, defied expectations, and inspired change. Below is a collection of powerful quotes from ten extraordinary women, paired with insights into their lives and why they remain iconic figures.

International Woman’s Day Quotes

On Strength and Resilience

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate:

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”

Malala Yousafzai became a global symbol of courage after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt at age 15 in 2012 for advocating girls’ education in Pakistan. She went on to co-author the bestselling memoir I Am Malala and, in 2014, became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Her Malala Fund continues to champion education for girls worldwide, making her a beacon of resilience and hope.

Maya Angelou, American poet and civil rights activist:

“I’m a woman, phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”

Maya Angelou rose from a traumatic childhood marked by poverty and abuse to become one of America’s most celebrated literary voices. Her works, like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, blend poetry and memoir to explore race, identity, and womanhood. A key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Angelou’s recitations and activism—such as her reading at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration—cemented her as a cultural icon.

On Leadership and Change

Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President:

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”

Kamala Harris made history in 2021 as the first woman, first Black woman, and first woman of Indian heritage to serve as U.S. Vice President. A former senator and California Attorney General, Harris has spent decades breaking barriers in law and politics, advocating for criminal justice reform, healthcare, and women’s rights. Her trailblazing career inspires countless women to pursue leadership roles.

Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India:

“To be liberated, woman must feel free to be herself, not in rivalry to man but in the context of her own capacity and her personality.”

Indira Gandhi was India’s first and only female Prime Minister, serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. Known for her bold leadership during turbulent times—including the 1971 war with Pakistan that birthed Bangladesh—she remains a polarizing yet monumental figure in Indian politics, celebrated for her strength and strategic vision.

On Creativity and Innovation

Ada Lovelace, mathematician and world’s first computer programmer:

“Imagination is the discovering faculty, pre-eminently. It is that which penetrates into the unseen worlds around us.”

Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, was a visionary mathematician who collaborated with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine. Her notes on the machine included the first algorithm intended for computer processing, earning her the title of the world’s first computer programmer. Her foresight about technology’s potential—beyond mere calculations—marks her as a pioneer in STEM.

Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist:

“You are never too small to make a difference.”

Greta Thunberg, born in 2003, sparked a global youth climate movement with her solitary “School Strike for Climate” in 2018. Her blunt speeches at the United Nations and other forums have galvanized millions to demand action on climate change. Named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2019, Thunberg’s influence proves that determination, not age, drives change.

On Equality and Justice

Simone de Beauvoir, French philosopher and feminist:

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) was a French existentialist philosopher and writer whose 1949 book The Second Sex laid the groundwork for modern feminism. By examining how society shapes women’s identities, she challenged patriarchal norms and inspired generations of thinkers and activists to question gender roles and fight for equality.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice:

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

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020), affectionately dubbed the “Notorious RBG,” served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1993 until her death. A legal pioneer, she co-founded the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project and argued landmark cases that dismantled gender discrimination laws. Her witty dissents and unwavering commitment to justice made her a feminist legend.

On Hope and Unity

Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States:

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

Michelle Obama, a lawyer and author, served as First Lady from 2009 to 2017 during Barack Obama’s presidency. Her initiatives, like Let’s Move! and Reach Higher, promoted health and education, while her memoir Becoming became a global bestseller. Known for her eloquence and authenticity, she continues to inspire women to lead with purpose.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian author and feminist:

“We should all be feminists—because feminism is the radical notion that women are people.”

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a celebrated novelist and essayist whose works, like Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, explore identity, race, and gender. Her 2012 TEDx talk “We Should All Be Feminists,” later adapted into a book, brought feminist discourse to a mainstream audience, establishing her as a leading voice in contemporary literature and activism.

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A Day to Reflect and Act

International Women’s Day 2025 is a moment to celebrate these women—activists, leaders, creators, and thinkers—who have transformed the world through their courage and vision. From Lovelace’s 19th-century innovations to Thunberg’s 21st-century activism, their legacies span time and borders, united by a shared pursuit of progress. As we honor them today, let their words ignite action toward a future where every woman’s voice is heard and valued.

Happy International Women’s Day! How will you celebrate the women who inspire you?