We are the generation of change.

We are the generation of strength.

We are the generation of perseverance.

And Misty Copeland is the epitome of those three things.

This summer, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be named a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre since its founding 75 years ago.

While this is a distinction in and of itself, it’s what Copeland’s doing saying off the stage that is breaking down the wall that has forever surrounded the elitist world of ballet.

Her words are transforming ballet into a sport and regaining the popularity of a once-considered “dying art.”

Copeland didn’t pick up a pair of point shoes until the age of 13. Combine that with the fact that she stands at 5’2”, Copeland has been breaking barriers in the dance world since her start.

In case you have fallen off the face of this earth and have not seen Copeland grace the cover of every major magazine and star in a multitude of television ads, here are six of Copeland’s quotes that made us all stop and stare at how this mesmerizing creature is making us rethink everything.

“It’s not that I reject the norm. I just don’t believe it exists.”

“The dancers that succeed have this fight in them…they’re the ones that were told ‘no’ over and over again that seem to succeed, and I think that’s what’s helped me.”

“I’m 5’2”, I started when I was 13, I’m black, but I’ve made it happen. I’m very lucky to be where I am…it’s possible.”

“The path to your success is not as fixed and inflexible as you think.”

“I think it’s great to have something that seems so pure to me…I think it’s important to have something like that in this crazy world. Everyone should find that."

“My fears are that it could be another two decades before another black woman is in the position that I hold with an elite ballet company. That if I don’t rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them.”

Misty, you have done the quite the opposite of failing us.