11 famous women on feminism

Need a little pick-me-up on this Monday evening? In honor of yesterday’s International Women’s Day (did you celebrate???), here are 11 amazing quotes on feminism from some of our favorite — and smartest! — ladies…

If you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist. —Emma Watson

I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading. —Amy Poehler

I hope that my presence on your screen and my face in magazines may lead you, young girls, on a beautiful journey. That you will feel the validation of your external beauty, but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside. —Lupita Nyong’o

I am a women with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will. —Amy Schumer

I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession, which I entered before my husband was in public life. —Hillary Clinton

The idea of being a feminist—so many women have come to this idea of it being anti-male and not able to connect with the opposite sex—but what feminism is about is equality and human rights. For me that is just an essential part of my identity. —Lena Dunham

If you like lipstick or watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians while you do the elliptical machine, and you’re willing to admit to any of that, there are people who think you’re letting down women or something, which is just a bunch of bulls***, and can make me kind of angry. —Mindy Kaling

The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence. —Beyonce

I think it’s just that as a creative person, in all the different things that I’ve done or ways that I’ve found to express myself, I’ve consistently come up against resistance in certain areas. I think that the world is not comfortable with female sexuality. It’s always coming from a male point of view, and a woman is being objectified by a man — and even women are comfortable with that. But when a woman does it, ironically, women are uncomfortable with it. I think a lot of that has to do with conditioning. —Madonna

I don’t fit the mold. In this country, success usually happens when you are 22 and six feet tall. Clearly, by asking that question [is she surprised by her success?] they are kind of letting me know that I am an aberration. —Tina Fey

I don’t think you need a man in this world, anymore. I just think you need your self, a little love and a bath. —Britney Spears

Feeling inspired yet, friends? What’s your favorite feminism quote? I’d love to know, so be sure to leave it in the comments! After all, we women have to stick together! xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]