International Women’s Day: Who Inspires You?

Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate achievements of women around the world, and about recognizing women’s rights and empowerment. So many women came before us to pave the way for greater opportunites and freedom for all women. It is a day to pause and reflect with gratitude on women’s accomplishments–both past and present. Here are a few quotes I find inspiring to celebrate this day:

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” ~ Alice Walker

“You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in respose.” ~Indira Gandhi

“Thee are two ways of spreading light…to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.” ~Edith Wharton

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” ~Ella Fitzgerald

“Nothing is either all masculine or all feminine except having sex.” ~Marlo Thomas

“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” ~Oprah Winfrey

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~Anais Nin

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry [her] own weight, this is a frightening prospect.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” ~Audrey Hepburn

“Mommy, I am a naked girl in a dress!” ~My daughter

Who inspires you?

kdillon2011-03-08T10:33:51+00:00

22 Comments

Andrea March 8, 2011 at 10:53 am

Love this! Happy day of the woman. Love the idea of looking at what you already have!
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 8, 2011 at 11:52 am
  
  Andrea,
  
  I love that quote too. I live my life by focusing on what I have and being grateful. It has led to being a happy person, instead of happiness being a fleeting emotion. I hope my children learn this lesson from me. It would be one of the greatest gifts I could give them.
  
  Thanks for visiting!
Justin March 8, 2011 at 11:33 am

I would have to say my daughter.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 8, 2011 at 11:52 am
  
  I love your answer Justin!
  - Unfinished Person March 12, 2011 at 10:43 am
    
    I love Justin’s ComLuv link that goes with his response. So apropos for International Women’s Day. 😉
    - Naked Girl in a Dress March 12, 2011 at 11:22 am
      
      It is so funny that you picked up on that too! I had to laugh when I saw he wrote a post asking women to show their breasts (he was asking because of Mardi Gras, not because of International Women’s Day).
      
      I am glad I wasn’t the only one who saw the humor in that. Justin is a loyal reader; I just love him.
SuzRocks March 8, 2011 at 5:43 pm

I’m glad you wrote about IWD too! I had to think for a second about who inspires me, and I think I would have to say the women who have come from the bottom, who have overcome everything- and been empowered and succeeded in making their own life and their families lives better.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 8, 2011 at 7:07 pm
  
  Suz,
  
  Glad you wrote about IWD as well! Great minds…
  
  What a great answer. Women who struggle and succeed are always a wonderful example of what is possible in life.
Amber March 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm

My two daughters are my inspiration as I watch them turn into beautiful talented young women.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm
  
  Amber,
  
  Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly March 9, 2011 at 2:45 am

I can’t believe I’m stumped, but I am. Must be all the testosterone that surrounds me. I can’t think of a woman who has inspired me. But there must be one…this is good food for thought.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 9, 2011 at 4:09 am
  
  Kimberly,
  
  Maybe you can’t think of anyone because you are up at 2:45 am commenting on my blog instead of sleeping. (: Come back fully awake. I bet you will think of an inspiring woman.
pattypunker March 9, 2011 at 4:33 pm

love love love that anais nin quote!
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm
  
  Glad you like it Patty. I tried to mix it up with the women represented and the quotes as well.
  
  Thanks for visiting!
Jules March 12, 2011 at 9:35 am

My mom, my principal, Michelle Obama, women who have endured things that I’m not sure I could live through…..

Thanks for sharing those inspiring quotes.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 12, 2011 at 10:14 am
  
  Thank YOU for sharing some inspiring women in your life!
unfinishedperson March 12, 2011 at 10:45 am

My fourth and sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Corson.

She set up a special “Self-Control” Club for our class when I had problems with my temper. It meant the world to me.
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 12, 2011 at 11:23 am
  
  Thank you for sharing this.
yvonne@attracted to shiny things March 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Love love love!!! Your daughter’s quote was the kicker for me, actually. This post was very inspirational. THanks. Found you on TRDC. Yay TRDC and studio30+, right?
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm
  
  Yes, TRDC and Studio30 Plus are great places for writers to hang out on the internet.
  
  Glad this post resonated for you!
Chrysta Bairre March 8, 2013 at 1:11 pm

Thanks for sharing these wonderful quotes and here’s to women everywhere! May we all be empowered to make happy, healthy choices for our lives!

Have a grateful day!

Chrysta
- Naked Girl in a Dress March 8, 2013 at 2:07 pm
  
  Thank you, Chrysta! I agree with your sentiment. Thanks for visiting, and happy Friday!