Last weekend, women and men gathered together around the world for the "women's march," with over half a million participants marching in Washington D.C. alone. This historic movement was the largest one-day protest in American history. And while it has been criticized, the movement was, at its core, a showcase of women's strength and their desire to speak up for women's rights. For many, its purpose wasn't contingent upon the recent presidential inauguration; rather, it was just a chance to voice frustrations about gender inequality that have been years in the making. It was an opportunity to list the grievances and hope that the government would consider them when making political policies in the years to come.
This march garnered much attention, but it can't stop there. The fight for equality lies in the hands of men and women like those who peacefully protested this weekend. It is reliant on their resilience and their desire to make a difference, while respecting the government and using their words to fight. So here's 13 quotes about feminism and gender equality to fuel their strength and inspire them, as well as to inspire myself to speak up.
1. "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are different from my own." (Audre Lorde)
2. "Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives their strength." (G.D. Anderson)
3.
4.“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” (Gloria Steinem)
5. "Equality is not a concept. It's not something we should be striving for. It's a necessity." (Joss Whedon)
6.
7. "I raise up my voice not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back." (Malala Yousafzai)
8. "Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." (Maya Angelou)
9.
10. "When women are empowered, they immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them — their families, their communities, and their countries." (Prince Harry)
11. "We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacle to their achievements and no remaining ceilings to shatter."
12. "I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change...I'm changing the things I cannot accept." (Angela Davis)
13.
