Wednesday’s Quote of the Week: We All Have a Voice
I don’t consider myself a feminist. Mostly because the term is overflowing with political intonations and I am in no way a political person. However, I do believe in equality of all people. Regardless of gender, race, religion, age, sexuality, educational status, economic situation, or political beliefs. I don’t care if you are red, green, blue, polka dotted, love giraffes or big game hunting. I don’t care if you prefer real fur over faux fur or if you spend all of your money on video games or high end purses. What I care about is that we all treat each other with respect, love, and kindness. But as a person of the female gender, I do recognize that there is a uniqueness among female relationships. And I also recognize that when women stop criticizing each other and start supporting each other, the most amazing things can and do happen.
Please know this in no way discounts the power of men supporting women or men supporting other men for that matter. That carries an equal amount of importance. And I am blessed to have people of both genders who support and empower me every single day. As a follow up to yesterday’s post where I shared about an amazing women’s networking event that I recently attended, I thought it great timing to share another red dress outfit and some empowering quotes about women and by women. Also, March is Women’s History Month so why not share what women are saying to uplift one another. I hope you enjoy my selection of quotes.
This Madeleine Albright quote really hits home with me…”It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” It took me more than half my life to find my voice and even longer to start using it. After nearly 4 years of blogging and sharing my story, my experiences, and what I have learned this far in life, I have to tell you that I have only just begun. You have only seen the tip of the iceberg. I am growing bolder as the years go by and more empowered to share more because of all of you who read and comment and validate and support what I do. For that, I humbly and gratefully say thank you. There is no greater reward than knowing that what you have set out to do with purpose and passion is met with acceptance and appreciation.
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”
—Maya Angelou
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”
—Melinda Gates
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”
―Gloria Steinem
“Words have power. TV has power. My pen has power.”
—Shonda Rhimes
“I think the best role models for women are people who are fruitfully and confidently themselves, who bring light into the world.”
—Meryl Streep
“I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story–I will.”
—Amy Schumer
“For I conclude that the enemy is not lipstick, but guilt itself; we deserve lipstick, if we want it, AND free speech; we deserve to be sexual AND serious – or whatever we please. We are entitled to wear cowboy boots to our own revolution.”
–Naomi Wolf
“Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.”
– Arianna Huffington
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”
– Coco Chanel
“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.”
– Marissa Mayer
“No one ever became a success without taking chances… One must be able to recognize the moment and seize it without delay.”
– Estée Lauder
“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
– Julia Child
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”
– Oprah Winfrey
“I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who’ve withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights.”
– Oprah Winfrey
“I found that ultimately if you truly pour your heart into what you believe in — even if it makes you vulnerable — amazing things can and will happen.”
– Emma Watson
“The secret to a happy life is a happy mind. A positive outlook and attitude can only happen when we are kind to ourselves. Self love begins with self acceptance and letting go of thoughts and beliefs that hold us back. Believe in yourself and love yourself with all your might and watch your life transform.”
-Catherine Grace O’Connell
Do share some of your favorite quotes by women, about women, empowering women, celebrating women. I would love to see what motivates you.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
19 Comments
Anna
I love this Madeline Albright´s quote, and I guess I´m also still in the process of finding it! Thanks for this inspirational post! I´m not a political person either, but definitely stand for equal rights!
Have a great week!
Anna
http://atlifestylecrossroads.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anna, thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! I think we continue to find our voices all throughout our lives! But you are on the way there, for sure.
xoxo
Shelbee
FancyBoy
Yes!!! I love it! I do label myself a feminist and I’m into politics, but I’m into you, too! Label seems so harsh, but describe yourself the way you want lady!!! That’s the whole point! I’ll have to find some good quotes to share— I’m not prepared lol!
You look great in red btw!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Becky, thank you so much! And that is exactly what I am all about…I am not political, you are, but I totally respect you and your opinions and your thoughts and perspective and I adore you! You stand for something and that is important! I would love to read some of your favorite quotes…when you are prepared, of course!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking nice and Amen to all of your quotes. Everyone needs to stop sniping at each and listen to other’s voice. True story, I have a friend of mine who I have known for 36 years, he is an extreme right-winger. He believes in make no change and make it retroactive. He wants our society to go back to the late 40’s and early 50’s. Here is the deal because I listen to him instead of sniping at him, I found out that we share the same vision for the environment. Even though we are opposites, we both have a shared vision for the environment. Crazy.
Wonderful quotes. I am going to leave you with one quote that a friend of mine’s son wrote for his movie Creed: “That’s a fact of life, you know what I mean. As long as you’re talking, you’re not listening.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, I love your perspective here and it is so true…if we would all stop sniping at each other and just listen to one another, I bet most of us would agree that love and kindness work many more wonders than all the other bullsh*t that bombards every day! And that Creed quote is fantastic! Thanks for sharing it.
xoxo
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, I wanted to share this with you as well, Patrick. Because I think you will probably fin it quite an interesting article…this piece is about my small little upstate NY town…The Least Politically Prejudiced Place in America. I would love to hear your thoughts if you have the time to read it.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Love your quotes and love the outfit more! That colour really suits you and looks great with with the snowy backdrop. Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! I am getting quite good at styling outfits for snowy backdrops! Ha.
xoxo
Shelbee
LORENA
It is so true, the feminist I hear and see on media has a political connotation I do not intend to be a part of.
Great quotes and the backdrop looks so peaceful…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Lorena! I mean, I guess I believe in the feminist ideal, but you are right, the extremes in the media give it too much a bad name!
xoxo
Shelbee
Karren Haller
Such a fun outfit, my most favorite colors, you look amazing!!! Love where you have taken your pictures!!!
Thank you for sharing on Oh my Heartsie Girls Linkup
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Karren! I love finding run down old places for photos! It is so much fun. These photos were by an old tank factory. I take a bunch of pictures back there in different spots. It makes a cool backdrop.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna Shirley
Those are wonderful quotes. I’m glad that you have found your voice. I’m still kind of trying to find mine. And something on the fashion note. The dress is very cute. I love this pattern. Thank you for sharing with My Red Carpet.
Anna
http://www.glamadventure.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anna. I think we are always evolving into our own voices as we grower older and more mature and gain more experiences. We get bolder with age and more fearless with our messages. You definitely have a voice and wonderful messages to share, just keep sharing and it will all fall into place!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michele Morin
Whoa! This is one collection of bracing quotes for a muddy Tuesday morning! Thank you!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am glad you enjoyed them, Michele! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
So many great quotes Shelbee, love “A girl should be two things who and what she wants.” So many that are motivating and relatable. I believe we all need a passion that we find in life too.
Love the dress, and red is another great color on you. Hard to beleive all of the snow still!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, thanks so much! And I love that quote you shared, too. I never realized how much I love red on me until I started blogging and saw it in photos! And it was snowing like mad again this morning! Fortunately, nothing accumulated though. Spring is coming soon I hope. But I still have lots of snowy photos to use.
xoxo
Shelbee