This Women's Month, we honour the fearless women who have lit the
way for generations. From powerful leaders to insightful storytellers,
these women remind us of the strength that lies within each of us.
In this round up, we’ve gathered quotes that capture the essence of
their courage and determination. Whether it's Michelle Obama urging
us to nurture our inner light or Brené Brown teaching us to rise above
negativity, these words inspire us to embrace our true selves and
push forward with unyielding resolve. Let their wisdom guide you
in your journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
MICHELLE OBAMA
“I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that’s worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what’s unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.”
FROM THE BOOK
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
In The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama offers practical wisdom and strategies for hope and balance in uncertain times. Blending powerful stories and profound advice, this inspiring follow-up to Becoming encourages readers to examine their lives, find sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.
READ AN EXTRACT FROM The Light we Carry >>
ALSO BY THIS AUTHOR
Becoming by Michelle Obama
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerising storytelling, Michelle Obama shares her journey from childhood in Chicago to life as an executive and First Lady. With warmth and wisdom, she reflects on defying expectations and balancing motherhood and work, inspiring readers through her deeply personal and revelatory storytelling.
READ A Q&A WITH MICHELLE OBAMA >>
EDITH EGER
“I am no longer in the habit of denying myself, emotionally or physically. I’m proud to be a high-maintenance woman! My wellness regimen includes acupuncture and massage. I do regular beauty treatments that aren’t necessary but feel good. I have facials. I get my hair painted—not just dyed one color, but three, from dark to light. I go to the department store makeup counter and experiment with new ways of doing my eyes. If I hadn’t learned to develop inner self-regard, no amount of pampering on the outside could change the way I feel about myself. But now that I hold myself in high esteem, now that I love myself, I know that taking care of myself on the inside can include taking care of myself on the outside, too— treating myself to nice things without suffering guilt, letting my appearance be an avenue for self-expression. And I’ve learned to accept a compliment. When someone says, “I like your scarf,” I say, “Thank you. I like it, too.”
FROM THE BOOK
The Choice by Edith Eger
Like Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, Dr. Edith Eger's The Choice can change your life. Eger shares Holocaust stories and clients' experiences, from abuse survivors to PTSD soldiers, illustrating how confronting suffering can free our imprisoned minds. Warm, wise, and compassionate, it offers profound insights into human suffering and healing.
READ AN EXTRACT FROM The Choice >>
GLENNON DOYLE
“I want us all to grow so comfortable in our own feelings, our own knowing, our own imagination that we become more committed to our own joy, freedom, and integrity than we are to manipulating what others think of us. I want us to refuse to betray ourselves. Because what the world needs now in order to evolve is to watch one woman at a time live her truest, most beautiful life without asking for permission or offering explanation.”
FROM THE BOOK
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Untamed, by bestselling author Glennon Doyle, blends inspiration and memoir, revealing the joy and peace found when we trust our inner voice instead of societal expectations. Doyle shows us how to be brave, asserting, "The braver we are, the luckier we get.”
READ AN EXTRACT FROM Untamed >>
ANGELA DUCKWORTH
“... there are no shortcuts to excellence. Developing real expertise, figuring out really hard problems, it all takes time―longer than most people imagine....you've got to apply those skills and produce goods or services that are valuable to people....Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you're willing to stay loyal to it...it's doing what you love, but not just falling in love―staying in love.”
FROM THE BOOK
Grit by Angela Duckworth
Award-winning psychologist Angela Duckworth reveals that success relies not just on natural talent but on grit. Her Grit Formula focuses on hope, effort, precision, passion, ritual, and prioritisation. Moving beyond clichés, Grit provides a fresh, motivating approach to achieving remarkable success beyond innate talent's limits.
BRENÉ BROWN
“Don't grab hurtful comments and pull them close to you by rereading them and ruminating on them. Don't play with them by rehearsing your badass comeback. And whatever you do, don't pull hatefulness close to your heart. Let what's unproductive and hurtful drop at the feet of your unarmored self. And no matter how much your self-doubt wants to scoop up the criticism and snuggle with the negativity so it can confirm its worst fears, or how eager the shame gremlins are to use the hurt to fortify your armor, take a deep breath and find the strength to leave what's mean-spirited on the ground. You don't even need to stomp it or kick it away. Cruelty is cheap, easy, and chickenshit. It doesn't deserve your energy or engagement. Just step over the comments and keep daring, always remembering that armor is too heavy a price to pay to engage with cheap-seat feedback.”
FROM THE BOOK
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Brené Brown's two decades of research on emotions reveal that leaders in various organisations seek to cultivate brave leaders and embed courage in their culture. Dare to Lead provides answers, actionable strategies, and real examples from her research-based, courage-building program.
CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS
“The comprehension of this Wild Woman nature is not a religion but a practice. It is a psychology in its truest sense...a knowing of the soul. Without her, women are without ears to hear soultalk or to register the chiming of their own inner rhythms...Without her, they forget why they’re here, they hold on when they would best hold out. Without her they are silent when they are in fact on fire. She is their regulator, she is their soulful heart, the same as the human heart regulates the physical body.”
FROM THE BOOK
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
For centuries, the 'wild woman' has been repressed by male-centric values that trivialise women's emotions. Through stories and casework, Estes shows that the 'wild woman' is innately healthy, passionate, and wise. Thoughtfully written, Women Who Run with the Wolves offers readers new direction, self-confidence, and purpose.
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