I collect empowering quotes.  Over the years, these quotes have filled several journals.  These quotes have gotten my morning off to a great start. I also reach for some of them on sticky notes to lift my spirits during the day. And, I have turned to them to calm me after a long, exhausting day. 

Recently, I have been intentional about organizing my collection of inspirational and empowering quotes by Black women throughout the African Diaspora.  These quotes come from women of all ages and stages of life.  Some of the empowering quotes resonate with me because of our shared and lived experiences. However, some of these quotes provide a bench to sit on as I peek into Black women’s triumph over adversity.

Today, I present 9 empowering quotes by Black women actors, politicians, writers, and freedom fighters. And, some of them are such badasses that they fall into several categories. More importantly, I believe it is important to recognize these voices throughout the year—and not just during Black History Month.   

Please note that the photos below do not depict the person being quoted.

Empowering Quotes – The Empowering “Yes”

Saying yes is courage. Saying yes is the sun. Saying yes is life.

Shonda Rhymes

I love this quote by Shonda Rhymes. While I write about the importance of saying “no” as a self-care practice, it is also important to be fearless and say “yes.”

Empowering Quotes – No Hesitation

You can’t be hesitant about who you are.

Viola Davis

I like this empowering quote by Viola Davis because it causes me to pause.  Hesitation often masks fear, insecurity, and a false sense of humility.  Some of the ways that women are often hesitant are in:

• Asking for a raise
• Requiring honesty in a relationship
• Telling a lover what works and doesn’t work (to the left, please)
• Checking bank balances

Empowering Quotes – Know Your Value and Use Your Authority

Women have value. Women have authority to make decisions about their own lives and their own bodies.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman Vice President of the United States offers this empowering quote. And, it is one of the most empowering quotes for those of us who live in societies where we can work, worship, and love freely.  Yes, on some level, we know that we have value.  But, our value is more priceless when we exercise authority over our lives and bodies. 

The Pleasure of My Company

Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.

Zora Neale Hurston

This is one of my favorite empowering quotes by Zora Neale Hurston because it tells me to be strategic with how I use two of my greatest resources–my time and energy. Don’t waste your time trying to educate fools.

Empowering Quotes – Dream Big and In Color

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Harriett Tubman

Harriett Tubman had dreams and visions of freeing her people. And, she made it happen. It is important for us to tell our children, especially little girls, that they can dream big dreams.  We are the fulfillment of our ancestors’ dreams.  And, we need to have the strength, patience, and passion to change our world. 

Empowering Quotes – Come Out Of Your Shell

If I don’t poke my head out of my shell and show people who I am, all anyone will ever think I am is my shell.

Shonda Rhymes

This is one of the most important empowering quotes for women who are shy or introverted.  Now, introversion and shyness or not the same.  I am an introvert, but I am certainly not shy.  However, while I love my own company, I must get over myself and learn to mix and mingle.  Networking is an invaluable social capital.

I Am Woman

Do not live someone else’s life and someone else’s idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you. Womanhood is everything that’s inside of you.

Viola Davis

While we embrace sisterhood and celebrate the joys of women’s friendship, we must define womanhood for ourselves.  And, it is OK if that definition changes over time.

Empowering Quotes – Your Voice Matters

What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters. You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong.

Kamala Harris

This is one of the most empowering quotes to share with young women and girls.  I have been the “only one” in most of my college and career life.  My grandmother died when I was preparing for my doctoral qualifying exams.  And, that meant that I could not travel to the Caribbean to be with my family for the funeral.  So, I placed pictures of my mother, grandmother, sister, and aunties above my desk.  I was never alone and they cheered me on while I wrote and wiped the tears away.

We are never alone.

It’s Time to Move

Get up. Stand up. Speak up. Do something.

Zora Neale Hurston

This empowering quote by Zora Neale Hurston does not allow us to make any excuses.  And, the only thing that I will add is, “Show up!” 

It’s time to get out of your comfort zone.

Now, It’s Your Turn

I hope that you enjoyed these empowering quotes by Black women whom I admire. I think that you will enjoy reading about a few of our warrior women.

Please share one of your favorite quotes by a woman in the comment section.

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Keep It Tight Sisters.

Eat. Move. Breathe.