As Shonda Rhimes says, “It’s hard work that creates change.” We’ve rounded up 16 insightful quotes from kickass women who are experts in their fields. Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, and more will push you toward greatness with quotes that range from failure to taking a stand, human rights, and more. The lesson to be learned is that everyone has potential; it’s finding the willpower and determination that takes discipline. Read more of these empowering quotes to give you just the kick you need to stop dreaming and start doing!
– Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
Related: 35 Things You'll Regret Doing in Life
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“Whatever it is that you think you want to do – and whatever it is that you think stands between you and that – stop making excuses. You can do anything.” – Katie Beauchamp
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“People respond well to those that are sure of what they want.” – Anna Wintour
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“Grace is meeting those moments on the journey, then picking yourself back up, being humble enough to learn, and not being too hard on yourself.” – Michelle Peluso
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“I raise up my voice not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard . . . We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafza
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“Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely – and the right to be heard.” – Hillary Clinton
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“Leadership is hard to define, and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.” – Indra Nooyi
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“Delete the negative; accentuate the positive.” – Donna Karan
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“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I always knew the woman I wanted to be.” – Diane von Furstenberg
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“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
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“Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” – Shonda Rhimes
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“Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama
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“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” – Arianna Huffington
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“Learn from every mistake, because every experience, particularly your mistakes, are there to teach you and force you into being more of who you are.” – Oprah Winfrey
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“Do something you love.” – Lisa Sugar
