Michelle Obama’s Quotes About Women Will Inspire You Today

Oct. 11 is the International Day of the Girl, and what better way to celebrate than with some woman-focused inspiration from someone who knows what she’s talking about? So here are 10 Michelle Obama quotes about women to celebrate women and girls everywhere.

“The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued.”

“Strong men — men who are truly role models — don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful.”

“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list. If we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves.”

“Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail.”

“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”

“As women and young girls, we have to invest that time in getting to understand who we are and liking who we are.”

“Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses, swapped back and forth and over again.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of using your voice. I tried my best to speak the truth and shed light on the stories of people who are often brushed aside.”

“You don’t want to be with a boy who is too stupid to appreciate a smart young lady. There is no boy who is cute or interesting enough to stop you from getting your education.”

“As women, we must stand up for ourselves. We must stand up for each other. We must stand up for justice for all.”