Fierce quotes by Black women have made it into my collection of inspirational and empowering quotes.  Recently, these quotes have filled several journals.  So, why do I refer to these quotes as “fierce?”  Well, many women are beginning to embrace their fierceness.  When we are at our fieriest, we are strong, powerful, intense, competitive, untamable, bold, and aggressive.  And of course, we roar and roar often.  We are fierce women warriors.

I have been intentional about organizing my collection of fierce quotes by Black women throughout the African Diaspora.  These quotes come from women of all ages and stages of life. They have gotten many of my mornings off to a great start.  Additionally, I often select one for the week ahead as part of my Sunday habits. 

Today, I present 9 quotes on being successful by Black women writers, producers, actors, singers, and activists. And some of these women are such badasses that they fall into several categories. More importantly, I believe it is important to recognize Black women’s voices throughout the year—and not just during Black History Month or Women’s History Month.   

Fierce Quotes – The Opportunity to Learn and Power to Change

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.  If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

Maya Angelou

I chose to lead with one of my favorite fierce quotes by Maya Angelou. This quote reminds me that regardless of how far along I am in my career path, I still have a lot to learn. As a professor, I am usually in teaching mode. However, my graduate students and others on my research team can attest that I often being our meetings with: “Teach me something new” or “What new things have you learned this week.” Usually, this new thing is related to a new technology, app, or a simple way of doing a complex thing.

This fierce quote also focuses on being a victor rather than a victim. You have the power to change so many things in your life. And, when those things are formidable and unmoving, you need to change your attitude. Now, that is humbling. And frankly, changing our attitude is hard. However, the change in attitude ultimately leads to peace.

Fierce Quotes – Declare Your Goals and Write Them Down

I truly believe that if you put your goals in writing, speak them out loud, and work for them, they will happen.

Ciara

I like this fierce quote because your goals should not remain secret.  To achieve what you want in life, you must write down your goals, declare them out loud to God and the universe, and work hard for them to happen.  As mentioned in a previous post, a goal is an intention that is followed by several action steps.  And, each of these steps must have a timeline and a measurable outcome.

I also like what Ciara says about speaking our goals out loud.  Time and experience have taught me the importance of talking about them and submitting them to God.  Additionally, speaking them out loud also means talking to the women in my circle.  These women hold me accountable, encourage me, and help me look for opportunities to make them happen.  More importantly, these women pray for me and with me. 

Fierce Quotes – Be a Badass

Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.

Shonda Rhimes

This is one of my favorite fierce quotes.  Shonda Rhimes makes no apology or exhibits false humility. She simply declares that she is a badass.  I really appreciate the fact that she straight up tells you that where she is and what she has accomplished have nothing to do with luck.  Luck cannot take credit for all of the lessons learned, long hours worked, and skills honed.  Furthermore, luck cannot take credit for being ready when the door opened or when the door closed and you crawled through an open window.

Put others in their place when they attribute your success to being lucky.  No girl, you’re a badass!

Fierce Quotes – Take Advantage of Opportunities

I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard.

Shonda Rhimes

I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard. (Shonda Rhimes).

This fierce quote by Shonda Rhimes lays out the path for her success.  In many ways, this is one of the best affirmations for success that I have seen.  Daily, you must affirm that you:

• Are smart enough to succeed
• Have the talents and gifts to succeed
• Must seize the big and small opportunities to succeed
• Need to work really, really hard to succeed

Fierce Quotes – Stop Dreaming and Move

A lot of people dream. And while they are busy dreaming, the really interesting, powerful, engaged people? They’re busy doing.

Shonda Rhimes

Success starts with a dream.  However, it is achieved by action.  Many of us are stuck at the dream stage and have not overcome our fears of failure and fears of success.  So, get busy and start doing.

Fierce Quotes – Make It Happen

You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

Diana Ross

This fierce quote by Diana Ross gives us another reality check.  You are responsible for your success.  It will not be served to you on a silver platter or in a box with a pretty ribbon.  It may take a while, but you can make it happen.

Fierce Quotes – Pray for Opportunities

The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.

Viola Davis

This quote by Viola Davis makes no apologies.  Let us be clear.  Women of color are smart, talented, and hard-working.  However, opportunities are often limited in many careers because of racism, bias, nepotism, and not knowing the “right people.”  So, continue to prepare and hone your craft while you pray for the right opportunities. 

Fierce Quotes – Believe and Step Out of Their Shadow

I decided long ago never to walk in anyone’s shadow; if I fail, if I succeed, at least I’ll live as I believe.

Whitney Houston

In the song, The Greatest Love of All, Whitney Houston reminds us to love ourselves and believe in ourselves.  A great mentor is a blessing.  However, there comes a time when you have to step out of your mentor’s shadow, stand on your own, and go for it.  Success often results from a series of failures and the lessons learned.  So, learn those lessons and harness the power of believing in yourself.

Fierce Quotes – Take Time to Purge

Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go–purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it.

Tina Turner

Wow.  This fierce quote by Tina Turner gets straight to the point.  The price of success may require you to start over again and remove the toxic people from your life.  It may also require that you move to a new city, state, or country.  In other words, you may need to purge. 

Purging is drastic and radical, but sometimes it is necessary. So, go ahead and take inventory of who or what you need to purge from your life. And you don’t want to miss this.  Purging ultimately leads to freedom, creativity, and success.

Now, It’s Your Turn

I hope that you enjoyed these fierce quotes by Black women on success will continue to motivate and empower you to keep going. I think that you will enjoy reading about a few of our warrior women as well as 9 empowering quotes to make you fearless and 9 beautiful quotes on loving your body.

• Which one of these were your favorite fierce quote?
• Please share one of your favorite quotes by a woman in the comment section.

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