7 min read

50 Quotes by Brave Beautiful Black Women

In times like these, when the world is tearing apart, when a man gets killed for his color, when suddenly it dawns upon our conscience the collective hate, the baggage of racism, the tyranny of our ancestors and the legacy we bear the brunt of, it's important to re-remind the fierceness, the courage, the bravery of woman, of black woman who went against the odds to establish, assert their presence.

We bring to you an ode to 50 Brave Beautiful Black Women, who are an inspiration for millions of women around the world. The ideas, the thoughts, the go-to-motto, that helped them to survive, to THRIVE.

Presenting to you the true flag bearers of REALSHEPOWER.

1. Diana Ross, Singer

"You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself."

2. Shonda Rhimes, Producer

“I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard. Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.”

3. Rihana, Singer

"It’s tougher to be vulnerable than to actually be tough."

4. Zendaya, Actress

“I have standards I don’t plan on lowering for anybody… including myself.”

5. Maya Angelou, Poetess

"If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be."

6. Beyonce, Singer-Songwriter

“Take the time to define yourself and define your value. If you’re having a hard time doing that, ask yourself: What is something I would say to someone I love?"

7. Angela Bassett, Actress

"When you ask the best questions of yourself and others, you invite the best answers."

8. Gabrielle Union, Actress

"A lot of women seem to think the way to ingratiate themselves is to put down other women or backstab. That's the quickest way to be eliminated from my life - try that with me, and you're out."

10. Serena Williams, Tennis Player

"With a defeat, when you lose, you get up, you make it better, you try again. That’s what I do in life, when I get down, when I get sick, I don’t want to just stop. I keep going and I try to do more. Everyone always says never give up but you really have to take that to heart and really do never definitely give up. Keep trying."

11. Janelle Monae, Singer-Songwriter

"Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable. i didn't have to become perfect because I've learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness."

12. Michelle Obama, Lawyer and Author

"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

13. Nicki Minaj, Rapper

"You wanna know what scares people? Success. When you don't make moves and when you don't climb up the ladder, everybody loves you because you're not competition."

14. Tyra Banks, TV Personality

"Girls of all kinds can be beautiful -- from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain-skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing, and all in between. It's not easy though because many people still put beauty into a confining, narrow box ... Think outside of the box ... Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you."

15. Kerry Washington, Actress

"I realized that I don't have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life."

16. Mel B, Singer

"Yes, I do have a big ego … and I am in love with myself … Because if you don't love yourself how can anybody love you back?"

17. Queen Latifah, Rapper

"Beauty is not just a white girl. It's so many different flavors and shades."

18. Ciara, Singer

"I truly believe that if you put your goals in writing, speak them out loud, and work for them, they will happen."

19. Naomi Campbell, Model

"Anger is a manifestation of a deeper issue... and that, for me, is based on insecurity, self-esteem and loneliness."

20. Tarana Burke, Activist

"These movements aren't about anger. We're not angrily saying 'Black Lives Matter.' We're declaring it. It's a declaration. We want to be seen as robust, full human beings that have anger and have joy. We want to be able to just freely have that joy. Like everybody else does."

21. Allyson Felix, Athlete

The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance. Lots of times we go through different trials and following God's plan seems like it doesn't make any sense at all. God is always in control and he will never leave us.

22. Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer

"BE A STUDENT OF YOUR PASSION."

23. Tracee Ellis Ross, Actress

"As a younger person, my philosophy was jump off a cliff. I realize now that there are stairs and elevators. I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me. I can even ask for help! Not feeling that I have to know everything, and that’s where the growth comes in, in the not knowing."

24. Lena Waithe, Actress

"I think the stakes are always high when you're an artist of color - to get things right, to get things perfect and make everybody happy. But I'm not concerned with politicians and what they think. And I'm not always going to succeed. I'll have missteps, but I hope that people will be patient with the show and us and know that our intentions are good."

25. Sheila Johnson, Entrepreneur

It's important that women support women. It gives me a great sense of well-being to know that I can make a difference in people's lives.

26. Laverne Cox, Actress

"Beyond truth and trans, one of the big Ts for me would probably be trying because at the end of the day we can think whatever, but it's like, what are we going to do? Because as long as we're trying, I think that goes a long way. "

27. Condoleezza Rice, Politician

"You will make a difference in the world, but not immediately. Your first obligation is to find something you like doing, because if you like doing it, you'll do it well."

28. Halle Berry, Actress

"Blackness is a state of mind and I identify with the black community. Mainly, because I realized, early on, when I walk into a room, people see a black woman, they don't see a white women. So out of that reason alone, I identify more with the black community."

29. Gabby Douglas, Olympic Gymnast

"You just have to be yourself, and go full with confidence, and be courageous."

30. Misty Copeland, Ballerina and athlete

Decide what you want. Declare it to the world. See yourself winning. And remember that if you are persistent as well as patient, you can get whatever you seek.

31. Rosa Parks, Activist

"I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear."

32. Stacey Abrams, Politician

"Our power and strength as Americans lives in our hard work and our belief in more.”

33. Vivica A. Fox, Actress

A great figure or physique is nice, but it's self-confidence that makes someone really sexy.

34. Venus Williams, Tennis Player

Some people say I have attitude - maybe I do... but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does - that makes you a winner right there.

35. Meagan Good, Actress

"Just be honest and true to yourself. If your friends around you love you, they'll wish you the best and want only what's going to make you happy."

36. Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast

"I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all."

37. Zora Neale Hurston, Author

"The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell."

38. Carla Hall, Chef

My biggest fear has always been being 40 and hating my job. I love challenges. I'm not afraid to try anything.

39. Coretta Scott King, Author

"Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated."

40. Tina Turner, Singer

"Fifty is the new 30. Seventy is the new 50. There are no rules that say you have to dress a certain way, or be a certain way. We are living in exciting times for women."

41. Phylicia Rashad, Actress

"Historically, if you look at great civilizations, why do they crumble? Is it because of what's outside or because of something internal? It's always internal. It is."

42. Janet Jackson, Singer-Songwriter

"In complete darkness we are all the same; it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us. Don't let your eyes deceive you."

43. Ava DuVernay: Director, Producer, Screen-writer

"I didn't start out thinking that I could ever make films. I started out being a film lover, loving films, and wanting to have a job that put me close to them and close to filmmakers and close to film sets."

44. Tiffany Haddish, Comedian

"No matter what the situation, I try to have fun. I get pulled over by the police, I'm like, 'Oh, this going to be the best arrest ever.' And I end up making friends with these police officers."

45. Alicia Keys, Musician

"I'm not ashamed of what I am and that I have curves and that I'm thick. I like my body."

46. Taraji P. Henson, Actress

I don't harp on the negative because if you do, then there's no progression. There's no forward movement. You got to always look on the bright side of things, and we are in control. Like, you have control over the choices you make.