60+ Inspirational Working Women Quotes to Boost Your Career
Published September 22, 2023
Entering the workforce as a woman can be overwhelming. Aside from your career, you also set a part of yourself for your family, friends, household roles, and more. If you’re also just starting, there’s sometimes a doubt about your capability. There is also a lot of societal pressure and outdated beliefs that can drag you down.
It is critical to remind yourself of how great of a working woman you are. You are strong, capable, powerful, and intelligent. Your contribution to your organization matters and makes a difference. You’re going to be successful. You’re going to make it.
In times you have trouble remembering what a powerful force you are, we have compiled the top inspirational working women quotes to boost your career. These words will unfailingly uplift your mind and spirit to keep thriving professionally. Let’s jump right into the discussion.
Best Working Women Quotes
- “Dreams are lovely but they are dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” — Shonda Rimes
- “I never dreamt of success. I worked for it.” — Estée Lauder
- “Some women choose to follow men and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.” — Lady Gaga
- “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” — Madame C.J. Walker
- “If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not making enough business and career changes.” — Sallie Krawcheck
- “Whenever I feel bad, I use that feeling to motivate me to work harder. I only allow myself one day to feel sorry for myself. When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.” — Beyoncé Knowles
- “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” — Madonna
- “Sometimes the future changes quickly and completely, and we’re left with only the choice of what to do next. We can choose to be afraid of it. Just stand there trembling, not moving. Assuming the worst that can happen. Or we step forward into the unknown and assume it will be brilliant.” — Sandra Oh
- “Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t give up because you are paralyzed by insecurity or overwhelmed by the odds, because in giving up, you give up hope. Understand that failure is a process in life, that only in trying can you enrich yourself and have the possibility of moving forward. The greatest obstacle in life is fear and giving up because of it.” — Sonia Sotomayor
- “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” — Helen Keller
Inspirational Quotes for Women
- “A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with bricks others have thrown at her.” — Anonymous
- “A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, “She doesn’t have what it takes.” They will say, “Women don’t have what it takes.” — Clare Boothe Luce
- “She does not know what the future holds, but she is grateful for slow and steady growth.” — Morgan Harper Nichols
- “Stay true to yourself and your vision. Don’t let any one person’s opinion move you; listen, but be confident.” — Amanda Kahlow
- “The best protection any woman can have is courage.” -Elizabeth Cady Stanton
- “The perfect woman, you see, is a working-woman, not a fine lady but one who uses her hands and her head and her heart for the good of others.” -Thomas Hardy
- “You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.” -Tyra Banks
- “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” -Bosa Sebele
- “It’s hard to be a woman. You must think like a man, act like a lady, look like a young girl, and work like a horse.” -Hilary Clinton
Uplifting and Motivating Working Women Quotes
- “Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you.” — Caroline Myss
- “A strong woman understands that gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” — Nancy Rathburn
- “A woman is in full circle. With her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” — Diane Mariechild
- “You can have unbelievable intelligence, you can have connections, you can have opportunities fall out of the sky. But in the end, hard work is the true, enduring characteristic of successful people.” — Marsha Evans
- “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success…but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going…you’ll know that it was you and the people who love you that put you there.” — Taylor Swift
- “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” — Dolly Parton
- “Write your own part. It is the only way I’ve gotten anywhere. It’s much harder work, but sometimes you have to take destiny into your own hands.” — Mindy Kaling
- “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” -Korhan Erdol
- “When you live for a strong purpose, then hardwork isn’t an option. It’s a necessity.” — Steve Pavlina
Strong Women Quotes in the Workplace
- ““Lean in, speak out, have a voice in your organization, and never use the word, ‘sorry’.” — Trish Bertuzzi
- “You will be defined not just by what you achieve, but by how you survive.” — Sheryl Sandberg
- “Growth and comfort do not coexist.” — Ginni Rometty
- “Be an amateur. Not everything you do has to be good, especially at first.” — Ann Handley
- “I’ve never thought of myself as a female engineer, or founder, or a woman in tech. I just think of myself as someone who’s passionate.” — Lean Busque
- “Stick to your true north― build greatness for the long term.” — Ruth Porat
- “It is pure mythology that women cannot perform as well as men in science, engineering and mathematics. In my experience, the opposite is true: Women are often more adept and patient at untangling complex problems, multitasking, seeing the possibilities in new solutions and winning team support for collaborative action.” — Weili Dai
- “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’.’ — Mary Anne Radmacher
- “Fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It is the mastery of fear. It’s about getting up one more time than we fall down.” — Arianna Huffington
- “Follow your passion — and if you don’t know what it is, realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it.” — Oprah Winfrey
Women Empowerment Quotes
- “Ignore the glass ceiling and do your work. If you’re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don’t have, focusing on the limitation, then you will be limited.” — Ava DuVernay
- “The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.” — Beyoncé
- “I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.”
- “Before feminism, work was largely defined as what men did or would do. Thus, a working woman was someone who labored outside the home for money, masculine-style.” — Gloria Steinem
- “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. History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” — Michelle Obama
- “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” — Anne Sweeney
- “A girl should be two things. Who and what she wants.” — Coco Chanel
- “Strong women don’t have attitudes. We have standards.” — Marilyn Monroe
- “ I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected for all of my femininity because I deserve to be.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- “Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland
Professional Working Women Quotes
- “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” — Mary Kay Ash
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” — Rosalynn Carter
- “Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.” — Sandra Day O’Connor
- “Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else.” — Sara Blakely
- “Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.” — Helen Gurley Brown
- “The way I look at – speaking as a woman – I understand what it means to be a daughter, and to be a wife, and to be a mother, and also to be a career woman. The multiple roles that women can play in a society if given the opportunity is really a tremendous asset.” — Margaret Chan
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” — Harriet Tubman
- “Your career is like a garden. It can hold an assortment of life’s energy that yields a bounty for you. You do not need to grow just one thing in your garden. You do not need to do just one thing in your career.” — Jenninfer Ritchie Payette
Top Career Tips for Working Women
1. Start before you’re ready.
Most of the time, you won’t feel 100 percent ready to do the work. One key aspect of succeeding is trying. Start and think how far you can be by next year if you begin today.
Self Doubt can be a significant roadblock to getting started. Do not let it kill your dreams. It’s more frightening than failure. Thus, give your dreams a chance by just beginning.
2. Maintain a growth mindset.
Worry more about how you’re going to learn and grow. Do not focus on what role you are going to have next. The foundational knowledge you will accumulate will lead you to great career success.
Also, until you can form your own opinions, get a lot of feedback. Do the work to improve and grow each day.
3. Know that you deserve it
When you are recognized for a job well done, do not deflect praise. Women have a high propensity to question their abilities and downplay their achievements. They often put themselves down before others do. Acknowledge the role you played in your accomplishment. Learn to accept praise gracefully.
Remind yourself that you achieve because you show up and put in effort. You did something different. It may be something extra you don’t believe in the first time or something others didn’t do or try.
4. Delegate
Working women confessed that they found it hard to delegate. It is due to the belief that others may not complete tasks as meticulously as they would. Hence, they strive harder. They are willing to put in extra hours to single-handedly process the work of two or three people at once.
Don’t waste your time doing things that somebody else can perfectly perform. Save your time for those things you are uniquely qualified to do. Lighten your workload and fixate on what matters. By doing these things, you empower those around you. You remind them that people rise to the challenge when work is passed on to them. That they, too, are qualified, capable, and talented.
5. Don’t fall for the tiara syndrome.
Tiara syndrome is the phenomenon of waiting for others to notice you and place a tiara in your head. Practice humble confidence. Yet, do not shy away from self-publicity. Don’t put away shining a spotlight on your accomplishments.
Being too humble will do you harm. Failing to point out your accomplishments can damage your career. Those who visibly take credit for their achievements are rewarded. They are those who get promotions and gem assignments. Also, those who dare to ask and communicate which opportunities and projects they like are always considered first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working Women Quotes
1. How do you inspire women at work?
One way to ignite inspiration for women at work is by amplifying the female voice. Give women a platform to be heard. If a woman has a fantastic idea, be supportive. Make sure she gets the recognition she deserves. Provide public speaking opportunities for female employees.
Another one is by offering a flexible work environment. Women often juggle multiple roles. Before they became career persons, they were mothers, caregivers, and breadwinners. Flexible working options allow them to have the balance they need.
2. How do you appreciate a hardworking woman?
Express your appreciation through words. Let her know that her efforts are seen and valued. Make her feel they make a difference and contribute to the greater good. Also, take the time to express gratitude. Thank her for the contributions she makes. A genuine thank you can make a significant impact.
3. How do you thank a strong female leader?
It goes by thanking her directly and sincerely. Make an effort to highlight how her leadership and guidance spark a positive impact. Let her know how her strength and expertise have touched you and others.
4. What is an inspiring message for a woman?
Perhaps the most inspiring message you can give a woman is that she can achieve incredible things. It is not limited to just family roles, it can be applied to career, business, societal projects, and more. She can take on whatever parts she desires. She is intelligent, powerful, talented, compassionate, and creative. Her only limitation is herself. Also, those who do not know better.
And there you have a great selection of working women quotes. All of which will inspire, uplift, motivate, and transform you. This compilation of wisdom from various influential figures is powerful. They can to boost and transform your professional life.
May you incorporate them into your routine so you’ll never waste more time doubting who you are. Acknowledge the many great qualities that make you a woman. Make time to hone them. You’ll achieve even your wildest dreams.
Share our wonderful article with working women you know. Make their day today!
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About The Author
I am Tracy Gorman, a seasoned writer specializing in lifestyle topics. With a multifaceted skill set, I bring a unique perspective to my work, creating valuable articles that can inspire and inform readers.