For half the population it is ‘our day’ … and I give
you a few quotes from thought provoking women:
 |
| Red: official holiday; Orange: holiday for women; yellow: non-official holiday. (see Wikipedia for more details on map. |
“Courage calls to courage everywhere.”
Millicent Fawcett, British writer and suffragette
(1847 – 1929)
“Feet, what do I need them for if I have wings to
fly?”
Frida Kahlo, Mexican artist (1907 – 1954)
“Never be limited by other people’s limited
imaginations.”
Dr Mae Jemison, American astronaut and physician (born 1956)
“We are too precious to let disappointments enter our
minds.”
NL Beno Zephine, Indian Diplomat (Sightless, but full of vision). (born 1990)
“I am stronger than myself.”
Clarice Lispector, Brazilian novelist (1920 – 1977)
“I really believe in the idea of the future.”
Zaha Hadid, British-Iraqi architect (1950 – 2016)
“I matter. I
matter equally. Not ‘If only’, not ‘as
long as’.
I matter. Full Stop.”
Chimamanda Adichie, Nigerian Writer (born 1977)
The women whose quotes I’ve copied are taken from
those expressed in today’s Google Doodle and are the ones that drew me in …
while Clarice Lispector, Beno Zephine and Mae Jemison I had not heard of …
… so I looked them up … to find Clarice and her family
had experienced enormous hardship before fleeing from Russian Ukraine to
Romania and ultimately Brazil, where her mother had relatives.
The story I found about her harrowing early life makeshorrendous reading … and we should all (always) remember how lucky we are –
regardless of where we are in life …
 |
| Taken from a book |
She overcame so much … while in the mid 1960s … the
American translator Gregory Rabassa, who first encountered Lispector in the mid
1960s, at a conference on Brazilian literature, in Texas, recalled being:
"flabbergasted to meet that rare person who
looked like Marlene Dietrich and wrote like Virginia Woolf"
The quotes are so apposite in so many ways … I leave
you to ponder them on this 2019’s International Women’s Day …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
55 comments:
Interesting quotes and ones we all need to think seriously about. “I am stronger than myself.” really touched me.
Take care, have a good weekend, cheers Diane
Women have contributed just as much as men and sometimes are the wiser. Great quotes.
Hari OM
I too was fascinated by the doodle today - knew most of the names, but admittedly, not much detail of most and like yourself, began looking them up. Inspiration and then some! A blessed day to you Hilary. YAM xx
Vive la Femme! I have met so many strong women in my life and have been influenced by them - and continue to be so. For all of our wives, lovers, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends - we salute you. You give us strength, share your wisdom with us, help us in countless ways, and make us better men.
Happy International Women's Day Hilary - I feel blessed knowing so many lovely women, here in blogland as well as in real life - thank you for highlighting these women and their wisdom xx
good quotes. I read the whole Google doodle. Much to ponder and much work still to be done. We women just can't be taken for granted!
Happy Woman's Day to you!
Wonderful, Hilary! I wonder if I shall live to see the day when hang-ups about gender, race and anything else, are things of the past and we can simply value PEOPLE.
I'm not a fan of these special one-day celebrations, because when it's over, people go back to their everyday lives and the accolades are forgotten. Heroes, regardless of gender, race, creed, etc. should be celebrated year 'round. That said, you have highlighted some excellent quotes from inspirational women. Kudos to them!
You'd never heard of Mae Jemison?!? Okay, I suppose you wouldn't necessarily have since she's American and an astronaut. (I'm a bit of a space buff, so I know some of the more noteworthy astronauts.)
Perfect for Women's Celebration Day.
Love these quotes Yes we choose to be limited (unconsciously) by what others expect of us, we should just choose for the sky and fly
@ Diane - yes Google chose some rather good quotes, which I thought would make an interesting post ... and then I have them here to refer to over the years ahead. I was so pleased to find out about Clarice ... while her quote rings very true - so glad you related to it ...
@ Alex - thanks ... we've definitely contributed as much as men and possibly more ... but I'm sure at times more wisely ...
@ Yam - they were an interesting selection of ladies and I was pleased to be able to look up those I didn't know ... quotes do make us think ...
@ David - well thank you ... we are there for each other - be they male or female friends, we are all human ... I hope we lift all peoples up ... but thank you for acknowledging that we do make you better men ...
@ Fil - yes I should have mentioned blogland shouldn't I - I am so appreciative of bloggers and their support - we all learn from each other: male or female ...
@ Joanne - I hope many of us checked out the Google Doodle - so often it sort of whizzes by and I just thought some of these resonated. We still need to praise each other and acknowledge things done ...
@ Paula - yes and over the weekend ...
@ Mike - thanks to Google's prompt - but still worth a post I thought. I so agree ... if only we could value each other and all persons.
@ Debbie - yes the ephemeralness of the doodles are almost immediately lost - yet sometimes we can check out information ... or as I decided to do here to remember a few of the quotes - so I'm delighted the quotes appeal. Yes - times should change and we as women should be celebrated all the time ...
@ Liz - nope I hadn't heard of her ... that's good you enjoy space - but now I know her and your interest in the science!
@ Sandie - thank you ... I hope we all get celebrated over the weekend ...
@ Marja - we should choose the sky and fly, not being hindered by limits of any sort ... you're so right ...
Thanks so much for all your replies ... there are some really good quotes = food for thought - cheers Hilary
Some nice choices there, Hilary! Did you know Mae Jemison only flew once? She is a multi talented woman, probably what got he int9 th3 spac3 program in the first place, so found something else to do when she had been in space, I do remember she had a cameo appearance in Star Trek The Next Generation.
I am a great fan of Adichie, as you know. Also Hadid. All very interesting quotes and inspirational women. Though I am not really a fan of these one day celebrations - great women (and men) should be celebrated year round.
Hi Hilary. You've chosen a lovely selection of really inspiring quotes from a selection of marvellous women.
I have always loved this quote by Maya Angelou:
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud"
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s silently sagacious Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
These are great quotes.
Great quotes Hilary. I must look up Lispector later. There have been some very notable and strong women.
Yes, I too saw the quotes. These women and many others show the rest of us the way. I am sad to say that I did not celebrate IWD as it deserves to be celebrated. However, I am fully aware that women should take for themselves the power men are withholding.
More power to our elbows. Perhaps we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in at present.
"I am stronger than myself,"- now that's an interesting one to ponder, isn't it? We constantly hear ourselves talking in the background, don't we? I suppose that's the self she's talking about and we constantly have to challenge that voice that tells us we're not good enough.
Great post,
Andrea
What I like most about your collection, Hilary, is that the quotes are gender-neutral. They're as suited to my boy child as girl child. And so motivating!
I like the one about not being limited by others' limitations.
I'm 100% with David's comment above. Troutbirder your radical feminist fellow blogger. A. K. A.(Ray)
Lovely post! Guess what, I thought of doing the SAME THING! I jotted down some quotes at work today...but by the end of the day was too tired to write a post.
So, happy to read the quotes you have given us here! Thank you.
Very nice quote =s to ponder showing strength and unity on this day.
Happy International Women's Day to you too! Thanks so much for sharing these quotes with us. :)
~Jess
Fabulous commemorative post for women everywhere Hilary. I especially love Frida's quote. I admire that woman. :) xx
Women have come a long way but we still have a ways to go till we are truly treated equal to men
Hi, Hilary - I celebrated International Women's Day with 12 of my closest female friends. Returning home to your inspirational post was icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing this!
I heard a lot about it this year but it's not an official holiday in the states, nor in Australia where a FB friend had a bunch of photos of their celebrations.
Sage
www.thepulpitandthepen.com
Great quotes! I missed the Doodle so good to catch up.
International Women's Year/IWY was the name given to 1975 by the United Nations, a very important date in my life. The first Women's Health and Community Centre opened here :) I still have the IWY t-shirt we wore back in 1975 ... it looks great, but it is tad too small for me now.
I love the quotation from Frida Kahlo. She is one of my favorite artists.
Love,
Janie
Hi Sue - no I hadn't heard of Mae Jemison ... she does sound an interesting character - I'll now keep an eye out for her ...
@ Nila - I have Adichie to read ... definitely need to get my eyes into her books. Pity about Hadid and her early death - she was one talented lady.
Well I'm not really a fan of these one day celebrations - but I needed something to post and loved the quotes and people I saw ... so thought ok - they'll be there for us/me!
@ Bazza - thankfully Google made it easy for me and I learnt about a few new people too. That Maya Angelou quote resonates so well doesn't it ... love it ...
@ Kelly - they are worth knowing .. thank you ...
@ Jo - Lispector is an interesting author; while the women selected seemed a great selection ...
@ Friko - You're right about them and many others showing us the way ... however as you say - we females can all be inspirational in our own small ways - but if we'd been allowed to have a 50% say then I would hope the world would be kinder to all peoples ...
@ Andrea - I think you must be right ... we don't give ourselves enough credit and we are stronger than we might appear to be ... because we do cope with so much ... and usually pick the pieces up ...
@ Jacqui - I hadn't thought about that aspect of the quotes ... which means they can be motivating to all the peoples of the world ...
@ Diane - we do need to be our own person don't we and be free to think and do for ourselves ...
@ Ray - love your support for us ... we love our men too - blogging women and blogging men - thank you!
@ Kay - I wondered if others might do a similar post ... but am glad you're happy to share mine - thank you ...
@ Steve - yes ... quotes to be remembered and frequently brought to mind ... by one and all ...
@ DMS - am happy to have selected a few of the quotes for the blog ... it's good to remember these female inspirers ...
@ Debby - I know ... Frida was an amazing artist and lady - who overcame so much. Beno Zephine has no sight - yet is not limited in her vision ...
@ Jo-Anne - yes there's still a lot of change needing to happen for women to be treated equally everywhere ...
@ Donna - that's great ... what a lovely way to spend time with your special female friends on IWD ... and so pleased you were happy to see this post - thanks ...
@ Jeff - no it's not an official holiday - but I put the image at the top up ... because women seem to be celebrated in countries where there isn't any freedom of speech ... which struck me as odd, and worth noting.
@ Anabel - oh that's great ... these were some (not all) of the women whose quotes were put up ...
@ Hels - well you have some memories of a great day - interesting to note when the United Nations highlighted the year for Women. Then your Health and Community Centre opened ... glad you have the T-shirt, even if it's only for show now!
@ Janie - Frida Kahlo was such a talented lady ... I too admire her ...
Thanks so much to one and all - just glad the quotes mean something to us - be we female or male bloggers ... cheers - Hilary
You're right - many of us women are very lucky indeed. Although not yet entirely equal, that's coming ever close thanks to the efforts of some amazing women, and men, over the years.
I find it interesting that most of the "western" world doesn't celebrate International Women's Day.
Lispector's quote really hit me. I think if I have an 'enemy', I am my own worst enemy the majority of the time.
Happy International Women's Day! :)
@ Patsy - yes we are lucky as women and for being born in the western world. Things are improving ... and long may that continue and to spread out to those continents where it's only just beginning ...
@ Lisa - that's why I put that image up ... seems to be an oxymoronic situation: really odd.
I was so interested to read up about Lispector - an interesting woman ... I'm hoping to read something by her fairly soon. However you're right - I can quite see where you're coming from re being one's own worst enemy - I am too ...
@ Mark - thank you ...
Cheers to you three - it's good we can recognise and respect our women - all the best - Hilary
It's nice to have a day celebrating the strengths and accomplishments of women.
I'm so late in stopping by, but I loved many of those quotes, especially the one by Frida Kahlo, who I've known about for many years.
Here's to strong, courageous women everywhere!
Thanks for these quotes by strong women.
Hi Hilary!
Such a nice tribute to what refuses to become just any other day! I've heard Frida Kahlo's quote since childhood, and can honestly say I agree ;-) I can't think of a more profoundly courageous statement than "I am stronger than myself"
Another favorite quote is "Knowing what must be done does away with fear" by Rosa Parks.
Have a lovely week!
Interesting and powerful quotes, Hilary. . . :)
@ Sherry - yes ... the thing I like is finding quotes I've forgotten or perhaps not even known about, and then the new people, who are also inspirational. Having them here will help me remember them.
@ Mark - no worries ... Frida lets her artistic mind 'fly' ... while she must have been able to dull the pain as she lost herself in her art. I so agree - here's to strong and courageous women from all parts of the world ...
@ Inger - good to see you and I know you'll take these quotes in and savour them ...
@ Diedre - yes it does seem that some of us will always remember International Women's Day. I'm not sure I had heard Frida's quote ... but probably had - just it resonated from those set out in the doodle. Thanks for adding the Rosa Parks quote - she was one brave woman ... and really enlightened many ...
@ Eddie - lovely to have you here ... the quotes are so worth thinking about ...
Cheers to you all - and thank you for commenting - Hilary
Good compilation! Inspiring thoughts.
The condition of women has improved by leaps and bounds. But there is more to be achieved. There are a lot of entrenched stereotypical thoughts and ideologies that need to be jettisoned for a world where nothing else other performance and merit count.
I thought I commented on this post... Probably I hit the wrong button...:)
Excellent words to ponder, and remember our connection with women all over the world.
Thank you.
Clarice's quote really resonated with me. Thank you for sharing it and all the others with us. I love when women find their voice and share it.
Elsie
@ Pradeep - well google curated ... I just adapted! But so glad the thoughts appealed to you. Great you're here ... thank you for commenting.
Thankfully the conditon of women has improved - but still more is needed, particularly in the 3rd world countries and some others ... women should be equal as the other half of the population ... your thoughts are so right ...
@ Ray - I don't think it got lost ... but I'm not at home so will check on my return over the weekend ... good to see you anyway ...
@ LD - yes ... I like having the quotes here - so I can check in on them as I wish ...
@ Elsie - yes I was really interested in Clarice and her work ... so I'm glad that quote stood out for you ...
Cheers to all of you - lovely to have your comments ... Hilary
I love the quotes you've chosen Hilary - each a reminder of the power and strength of women. You've offered a wonderful invitation to explore those women we might not yet know about, but also a reminder of the gifts we have to celebrate and the work that needs to be done. Thank you.
Fabulous quotes, wonderful women. A great post to remind us that we shouldn't ever be limited or allow ourselves to feel in any way second.
These are really good quotes, thank you for sharing!
www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
@ Deborah - yes ... thankfully Google prompted me ... then I could highlight some. There's always more to read and understand about life and people before or around us - which you are excellent in directing us into that thought environment ...
@ Val - exactly ... we should never be limited by what we can do and so we need to be out there learning for ourselves, while doing what we can for others - we have so much strength of mind and purpose.
@ Gina - great to see you ... and I'm just glad they're here for us all to refer at other times ...
Thanks for being here and for appreciating the value of the quotes I selected - we have so much to offer in life - cheers Hilary
I often think how lucky I am to have been born in this era and in the USA. Things are far from perfect for women here, but I have it so much easier than many in my country, elsewhere, and of course, in history. I'm counting on amazing young women like my daughter to keep making things better for women everywhere.
Hi Susan - yes we are both lucky being born where we live and knowing that we have so much going for us really makes our lives easier. Your daughter is doing amazing things, while being able to travel to parts of the world most don't get to see - or will never comprehend - her African trip sounded amazing. Good luck to her and to you both - cheers Hilary
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