Girl Boss Quotes: 95 Powerful Quotes for Women Who Lead
Fuel your ambition, silence your doubts, and rise into your power with these words from women who dared to lead.
Introduction: Words That Ignite the Fire Within
There are moments when every woman who leads needs a reminder of her power.
Maybe you are facing a boardroom full of people who underestimate you. Maybe you are building a business while everyone tells you it will never work. Maybe you are returning to work after having children, wondering if you can still compete. Maybe you are simply exhausted from proving yourself day after day in spaces that were not designed for you.
In these moments, the right words can change everything.
Throughout history, women have led armies and nations, built empires and movements, shattered glass ceilings and rewritten rules. They have done this while being told they could not, should not, and would not succeed. And along the way, they have left us their words—wisdom forged in the fire of experience, quotes that remind us we are not alone in the struggle and that success is possible despite the obstacles.
This article gathers ninety-five of the most powerful quotes for women who lead. These are not soft platitudes or empty encouragement. These are battle cries from women who have been in the arena, who have faced doubt and discrimination, who have fallen and risen, who have built something from nothing against all odds.
The quotes are organized into themes that address different aspects of the leadership journey: believing in yourself, overcoming fear, handling criticism, building success, breaking barriers, and more. Each section includes context and reflection to help you apply these words to your own life.
Read through them all, or jump to the section you need most right now. Highlight the quotes that speak to your soul. Write them on sticky notes and post them where you will see them. Share them with other women who need the reminder.
We rise by lifting each other. Let these words lift you today.
Why Quotes Matter for Women in Leadership
Before we dive into the ninety-five quotes, let us understand why words matter so much—especially for women navigating leadership.
Representation in Language
For centuries, leadership language defaulted to male. Quotes about success featured men. Business wisdom came from men. Role models were men. When women looked for themselves in the language of leadership, they often found absence.
Quotes from successful women provide representation. They say, “Someone who looks like me has been here before. Someone who faced what I face has succeeded.” This representation is not decoration—it is fuel for belief.
Combating Isolation
Leadership can be lonely, and women in leadership often face particular isolation. They may be the only woman in the room, the only woman at their level, the only woman in their industry. This isolation can breed self-doubt.
Quotes connect us across time and space. When Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks about persisting despite obstacles, she reaches through history to every woman facing obstacles today. We are reminded that we are part of a larger story, a movement of women who lead.
Reframing Internal Narratives
Women often internalize limiting beliefs from a culture that still, in many ways, doubts female leadership. The inner critic speaks in the language of that doubt: “You’re not qualified enough. You’re too aggressive. You’re not aggressive enough. You’re too emotional. You don’t belong here.”
Powerful quotes provide alternative scripts. They offer new language to replace the limiting language. When Beyoncé says “I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself,” she provides a template for self-belief that women can adopt.
Practical Wisdom
Beyond inspiration, many quotes contain practical wisdom—lessons learned through experience that apply across contexts. When Indra Nooyi speaks about balancing ambition with humility, she is sharing strategy, not just sentiment. These quotes educate as they inspire.
Quotes on Believing in Yourself
The foundation of leadership is self-belief. These quotes remind you of your own power when doubt creeps in.
1. “I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” — Beyoncé
2. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder
3. “The most effective way to do it is to do it.” — Amelia Earhart
4. “I am my best work—a series of road maps, reports, recipes, doodles, and prayers from the front lines.” — Audre Lorde
5. “If you don’t see a clear path for what you want, sometimes you have to make it yourself.” — Mindy Kaling
6. “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” — Madam C.J. Walker
7. “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” — Florence Nightingale
8. “What makes you different or weird, that’s your strength.” — Meryl Streep
9. “Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.” — Jennifer Lopez
10. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” — Ayn Rand
11. “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” — Oprah Winfrey
12. “I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way, and I work really, really hard. Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.” — Shonda Rhimes
Quotes on Courage and Taking Risks
Leadership requires courage—the willingness to take risks, face uncertainty, and step into spaces where success is not guaranteed.
13. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anaïs Nin
14. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
15. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
16. “Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.” — Ruth Gordon
17. “I learned a long time ago that there is something worse than missing the goal, and that’s not pulling the trigger.” — Mia Hamm
18. “Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you.” — Hillary Clinton
19. “I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” — Ginni Rometty
20. “Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg
21. “If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not taking enough business and releasing enough risks.” — Sallie Krawcheck
22. “I’ve learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you.” — Soledad O’Brien
23. “I think fearless is having fears but jumping anyway.” — Taylor Swift
24. “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” — Sheryl Sandberg
Quotes on Perseverance and Resilience
Every leader faces setbacks. These quotes remind you to keep going when the path gets hard.
25. “I was smart enough to go through any door that opened.” — Joan Rivers
26. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling
27. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” — Rosa Parks
28. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King
29. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Serena Williams (paraphrasing Michael Jordan’s famous quote in her own words)
30. “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.” — Rihanna
31. “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” — Mary Wollstonecraft
32. “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” — Michelle Obama
33. “When they go low, we go high.” — Michelle Obama
34. “I am not going to sit on my ass as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life. I’m going to take a stand. I’m going to defend it.” — Cameron Diaz
35. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — (often attributed to various women, echoing Winston Churchill)
36. “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” — Maya Angelou
37. “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” — Katharine Butler Hathaway
Quotes on Breaking Barriers and Being First
Many women in leadership are pioneers—the first in their roles, breaking barriers that others said were unbreakable.
38. “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow.” — Marissa Mayer
39. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
40. “I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” — Malala Yousafzai
41. “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” — Michelle Obama
42. “I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.” — Estée Lauder
43. “We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.” — Beyoncé
44. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou
45. “Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” — Tina Fey
46. “I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them.” — Michelle Obama
47. “The way to achieve your own success is to be willing to help somebody else get it first.” — Iyanla Vanzant
48. “I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.” — Malala Yousafzai
49. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens.” — Michelle Obama
50. “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” — Melinda Gates
Quotes on Leadership and Influence
What does it mean to lead? These quotes explore the nature of true leadership.
51. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — (widely attributed; embraced by women leaders)
52. “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” — (often shared by women in leadership)
53. “Power’s not given to you. You have to take it.” — Beyoncé
54. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
55. “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” — Peggy O’Mara
56. “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” — Dolly Parton
57. “I am not bossy. I am the boss.” — Beyoncé
58. “The challenge is not to be perfect—it’s to be whole.” — Jane Fonda
59. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” — Sheryl Sandberg
60. “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” — Anne Sweeney
61. “True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed.” — Sheryl Sandberg
62. “Leadership is the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enables a person to inspire and control a group of people successfully.” — (widely attributed; often cited by women leaders)
Quotes on Success and Achievement
What does success look like for women who lead? These quotes redefine and celebrate achievement.
63. “My best successes came on the heels of failures.” — Barbara Corcoran
64. “There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we don’t care who gets the credit.” — (widely attributed to various women leaders)
65. “I don’t know a woman alive who isn’t courageous.” — Reese Witherspoon
66. “Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.” — Vera Wang
67. “Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.” — Lady Gaga
68. “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
69. “There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” — Michelle Obama
70. “Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” — Mae C. Jemison
71. “I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.” — G.K. Chesterton (quoted often by female entrepreneurs)
72. “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” — Serena Williams
73. “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” — Ingrid Bergman
74. “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.” — Melissa Etheridge
Quotes on Work-Life Balance and Authenticity
Women in leadership often face unique challenges balancing multiple roles. These quotes address that reality with honesty.
75. “You can have it all. Just not all at once.” — Oprah Winfrey
76. “The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.” — Roseanne Barr
77. “Don’t compromise yourself. You’re all you’ve got.” — Janis Joplin
78. “We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already.” — J.K. Rowling
79. “I think women are foolish to pretend they are equal to men. They are far superior and always have been.” — William Golding (often quoted by women as validation)
80. “I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” — Madonna
81. “We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn’t a reality yet. Today, women make up half of the U.S. workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average working man makes.” — Beyoncé
82. “Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” — Marilyn Monroe (often interpreted as a call to exceed, not just match)
83. “A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
84. “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” — Nora Ephron
85. “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” — Margaret Thatcher
Quotes on Overcoming Doubt and Critics
Every woman who leads faces doubt—from others and from within. These quotes address the critics head-on.
86. “I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all.” — Coco Chanel
87. “I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.” — Oprah Winfrey
88. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
89. “Never be afraid to toot your own horn. You are your own best advocate.” — Chandra Wilson
90. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” — Malala Yousafzai
91. “I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.” — Oprah Winfrey
92. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker
93. “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” — Arianna Huffington (quoting Mikhail Baryshnikov’s principle)
94. “Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you’re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don’t have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited.” — Ava DuVernay
95. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — (widely embraced by women leaders; originally Steve Jobs)
How to Use These Quotes in Your Daily Life
Gathering quotes is inspiring; integrating them into your life is transformational. Here is how to make these words work for you.
Create a Personal Quote Collection
As you read through these ninety-five quotes, some will resonate more deeply than others. These are your quotes—the ones that speak specifically to your journey, your challenges, your aspirations.
Collect them in a place you can easily access: a journal, a note on your phone, a document on your computer. Return to this collection when you need strength, clarity, or motivation.
Make Them Visible
Choose three to five quotes that feel most powerful right now and place them where you will see them daily:
- On your bathroom mirror for morning motivation
- At your desk for workday fuel
- On your phone lock screen as a constant reminder
- In your planner or journal for regular reflection
Rotate quotes periodically to keep them fresh and relevant to your current challenges.
Share with Your Community
Women rise by lifting each other. Share quotes that move you:
- Text a quote to a friend who is facing a challenge
- Open meetings with an inspiring quote
- Share on social media to reach women you may never meet
- Create a quote-sharing tradition with colleagues or mentors
When you share these words, you extend the legacy of the women who spoke them and contribute to a culture that empowers female leadership.
Use Them as Affirmations
Some quotes work beautifully as personal affirmations. Adapt them to first person and repeat them when doubt arises:
- “I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.”
- “I am not lucky. I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of opportunities, and I work really hard.”
- “I am the boss.”
Speaking these words, especially during challenging moments, can shift your mindset and restore your confidence.
Reflect and Journal
Choose one quote each week and spend time journaling about it:
- What does this quote mean to me?
- How does it apply to my current situation?
- What would change if I fully embraced this wisdom?
- How can I embody this message this week?
This deeper engagement transforms quotes from pleasant words into guiding principles.
The Women Behind the Words: Brief Profiles
The power of these quotes increases when you know the women who spoke them. Here are brief profiles of some of the remarkable leaders quoted in this article.
Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919)
The first female self-made millionaire in American history, Madam C.J. Walker built a beauty empire from nothing. Born to formerly enslaved parents, she overcame poverty, racism, and sexism to create a business that employed thousands of women and left a legacy of entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020)
A Supreme Court Justice known for her tireless advocacy for gender equality, RBG spent her career fighting for women’s rights through the legal system. Her persistence and brilliance made her an icon, and her words continue to inspire women in law and beyond.
Oprah Winfrey (1954-)
Rising from poverty and abuse to become one of the most influential women in the world, Oprah built a media empire and became a billionaire while maintaining her commitment to authenticity and service. Her journey demonstrates the power of believing in yourself against all odds.
Michelle Obama (1964-)
A lawyer, author, and former First Lady, Michelle Obama used her platform to advocate for education, health, and women’s empowerment. Her combination of grace, intelligence, and strength has made her a role model for women globally.
Malala Yousafzai (1997-)
The youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history, Malala was shot by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education—and survived to become an even more powerful voice for women’s rights worldwide. Her courage at such a young age continues to inspire.
Beyoncé (1981-)
Beyond her artistry, Beyoncé has built a business empire while becoming a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and racial justice. Her combination of excellence in craft and outspoken leadership has redefined what women in entertainment can achieve and say.
Sheryl Sandberg (1969-)
As COO of Facebook and author of “Lean In,” Sheryl Sandberg has shaped conversations about women in leadership. Her willingness to discuss the challenges women face in corporate America, and her vulnerability after her husband’s death, have made her a complex and influential figure.
Creating Your Leadership Legacy
The women quoted in this article did not just succeed—they spoke. They put their wisdom, their experience, and their encouragement into words so that other women could benefit. Their quotes are not just reflections of their success but contributions to yours.
You too are creating a legacy. The words you speak, the example you set, and the women you lift up become part of a continuing story. Someday, your words might be exactly what another woman needs to hear.
Consider:
- What wisdom are you learning that others could benefit from?
- What would you tell your younger self about leadership?
- What would you want other women to know about your journey?
You do not have to wait until you reach some pinnacle of success to share your voice. Your perspective at every stage has value. The woman struggling behind you needs to hear that you struggled too—and kept going.
20 Additional Quotes for Continued Inspiration
1. “Girls should never be afraid to be smart.” — Emma Watson
2. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou
3. “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” — Katharine Hepburn
4. “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” — Coco Chanel
5. “I’m not interested in competing with anyone. I hope we all make it.” — Erica Cook
6. “Women are the real architects of society.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe
7. “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” — W.E.B. Du Bois
8. “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” — G.D. Anderson
9. “She remembered who she was and the game changed.” — Lalah Delia
10. “Women are leaders everywhere you look.” — Hillary Clinton
11. “I’m a woman. I’m Black. I was raised in the South. I’m not supposed to be here.” — Keshia Knight Pulliam
12. “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” — Elizabeth Cady Stanton
13. “I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” — Louise Hay
14. “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai
15. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
16. “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
17. “You can waste your life drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” — Shonda Rhimes
18. “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.” — Maya Angelou
19. “A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink.” — Gina Carey
20. “Here’s to strong women: May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” — Unknown
Picture This
Close your eyes and imagine a moment in your future.
You are standing at a podium, or sitting at the head of a table, or walking into a room where you belong. Years of work have brought you here—work and courage and persistence and, yes, doubt that you pushed through again and again.
You think of the women who came before you. The ones whose words you carried in your pocket when things were hard. The ones whose voices echoed in your mind when you wanted to quit. Madam C.J. Walker, who built an empire from nothing. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who changed the law one case at a time. Your grandmother, your mother, your mentor, your friend—the women who believed in you when you struggled to believe in yourself.
You think of the women who are watching you now. The young professional who sees your success and thinks maybe it is possible for her too. The entrepreneur who reads your story and finds courage to start. The girl who sees a woman in leadership and begins to imagine herself there.
You are not just achieving for yourself. You are part of a chain—receiving courage from those who came before, passing it to those who come after. Every glass ceiling you shatter becomes a window for others to see through.
And then you speak. You share what you have learned, what you have struggled with, what you believe. Your words, informed by your experience, become part of the legacy. Someday, someone might quote you.
This is what leadership means for women. Not just personal success, but expanding what is possible for all of us. Not just achieving, but lifting. Not just arriving, but opening doors.
You are writing your chapter of this story right now. Every challenge you face, every doubt you overcome, every success you achieve becomes part of the narrative that future women will inherit.
Lead boldly. Speak your truth. Rise—and bring others with you.
Share This Article
The words in this article have the power to reach women who need them—but only if they are shared. Your share could be the spark that ignites another woman’s leadership journey.
Share with women in your life who are building, leading, striving. They need these reminders too.
Share with young women who are just beginning to imagine what is possible. Early exposure to powerful female voices shapes what they believe they can achieve.
Share with the men who support women in leadership. Understanding the voices that inspire us helps them be better allies.
Share on social media with a personal note about which quote resonates most with you. Your endorsement gives the words additional power.
Women rise by lifting each other. This share is one small lift that could make a real difference.
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The quotes have been attributed to the best of our knowledge, though some quotes have disputed origins or may be paraphrased from longer statements.
The term “Girl Boss” is used here in its empowering sense, recognizing that some discourse has critiqued the term. We embrace it as a celebration of women who lead, while acknowledging the ongoing conversation about language, feminism, and leadership.
The author and publisher make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the information contained herein. By reading this article, you agree that the author and publisher shall not be held liable for any damages, claims, or losses arising from your use of or reliance on this content.
Lead boldly. Your voice matters.
