This week's quote is by Clare Boothe Luce (born Anne Booth) who was a politician and writer, and was known for her strong commitment to the advancement of women.
"Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, 'She doesn't have what it takes.' They will say, 'Women don't have what it takes.'"
Another quote that captured my attention this week was by Rebecca West who was a journalist, literary critic, and was one of the foremost public intellectuals of the twentieth century.
ReplyDelete"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute."
This is such a great quote, only because it goes to show how much we do not differentiate the individual from the whole. While every action that you or I does, in fact does reflect on women as a society - how is this equality if women cannot be recognized as individuals but merely as a concept? We are all unique in perspectives, background, looks, and principles and ultimately that should make us "women." Each failure should not weigh against the concept of us being women, but at times this is such a difficult question because at the same time it is the power we get from being "women" that makes each failure a cause to move forward together.
ReplyDeleteEleanor Roosevelt was one of the truely great and inspiring First Ladies of the United States. Whenever I am questioning my value and worth, I remember her famous quote:
ReplyDelete" No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!"
ReplyDelete- Aretha Franklin
The interesting thing about this song is the songwriter meant it as a man's plea for respect from a woman. Aretha Franklin's version, however, has been inspirational to generations of women.
I know it’s not a Wednesday, but I came across a truly moving quote by Lois Wyse who was an American advertising executive, author and columnist for Vogue and Cosmopolitan.
ReplyDelete“Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths.”
I think this contrast really captures one of the biggest problems that has plagued the development of women’s rights historically and still continues to do so today.