Every once in a while, I’ll notice a string of words that directly connect to the most important thing in my life right at that moment. That’s what comes to mind with many of the following quotes from strong, independent women. Are you ready to be inspired?

19 Strong Women Quotes from Our Favorite Role Models

1. Kamala Harris: “But when you can’t sleep at night, how can you dream?”

We’ve all experienced times of struggle. Vice-President Harris understands how some battles overshadow any chance of creating your own life in your own way. A piece of good news here: there are ways to help yourself to feel calm and to make your own dream.

2. Judy Garland: “Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”

3. Maya Angelou: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

I know I am in agony when I am not living in a way that deserves to be experienced and shared. We must strive to create our own lives on our own terms to alleviate the pain of holding on to that untold story.

Despite recent optimism about gender equality, a double standard continues to exist when it comes to powerful women. Following are some of the best quotes I found about women’s empowerment:

4. Taylor Swift: “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”

5. Eleanor Roosevelt: “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.”

Just like my blog about French design wasn’t just about visiting Paris, Roosevelt’s quote isn’t about reading tea leaves. So many of us are pushed to our very limit. It’s as if the world is trying to discover our breaking point. But instead of breaking, we hold steady, and just like that tea bag, we create something out of that boiling water (or hot water, if you’re a green tea fan).

6. Jane Austen: “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

7. Hillary Clinton: “Every moment wasted looking back, keeps us from moving forward.”

A powerful woman knows that what has happened in the past has passed. Nothing can change it. Past mistakes and successes are stepping stones to the next best thing.

8. Meghan Markle: “Some have bravely shared their stories; they have opened the door, knowing that when one person speaks truth, it gives license for all of us to do the same.”

9. Margaret Thatcher: “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

Wow. We’ve seen this play out with certain men as they strive for power. If you know, you know. Be the strong girl. Let people experience your strength firsthand. As the writing adage goes, “show, don’t tell.”

I have quite an emotional connection to these powerful quotes about difficult times. Failure isn’t always avoidable. Instead, it’s a chance to assert our independent will and create something better.

10. Amy Schumer: “I think for anyone to become good at something, they have to fail a lot too. And they have to be completely unafraid to fail or they’ll never make it to the next level.”

11. Michelle Obama: “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”

I am optimistic that we will continue to move away from the tired bossy women trope as ladies continue to assert themselves in the world. As this report of 20 years on gender equality research shows, the world is growing more curious and invested in women in leadership and entrepreneurship roles. As this continues, female decision-makers must stand firm in their choices created from their knowledge and experience. Let’s not allow our fear to dictate our choices!

More inspirational quotes that speak the truth about powerful women:

12. Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Of all the independent woman quotes, this one from a teenager from the past is particularly inspiring. Even while hiding from a brutal regime, she could envision a world where one voice matters. And the fact that I am inspired by her years later proves that.

13. Jennifer Lopez: “Ultimately, we can never change someone else’s behavior—we can only change our own.”

14. Oprah Winfrey: “Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

Quis bono? Surround yourself with people who celebrate your success and support you when you fail. Avoid those who are only concerned with how your success benefits them.

Happy girls know that striving to be their authentic best selves is the only way to go!

15. Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

16. Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

As a strong independent woman, I know that my authentic best self is uniquely me. Comparison is the thief of joy, and so are jealousy and pettiness.

17. Amy Poehler: “That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.”

18. Malala Yousafzai: “If one man can destroy everything, why can’t one girl change it?”

We need to listen to our little girls for motivational quotes more often! By seeing the world through a positive lens at such a young age, they are growing up to become strong independent women and an inspiration to us all about what really matters.

19. Audrey Hepburn: “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.”

Are you as inspired as I am now? Get out there and live your best life!