A curated register of quotes from under-represented voices.

“ I shall dance all my life. ”

— Josephine Baker

“ If your dream only includes you, it's too small. ”

— Ava DuVernay

“ I'm trying to take the stigma off the word ambitious, so we encourage more little girls to be ambitious, because I do think that's how society will change. ”

— Reese Witherspoon

“ I encourage women to step up. Don't wait for somebody to ask you. ”

— Reese Witherspoon

“ Blood, sweat and respect. First two you give, the last one you earn. ”

— Dwayne Johnson, 2012

“ There is not an industry I can think of where there is equal pay for equal work, or abuse of power doesn't exist, for men and for women. And so equality is not a political issue, it's a humanitarian issue. ”

— Cate Blanchett, 2018

“ There are three ways to ultimate success: the first way is to be kind, the second way is to be kind, and the third way is to be kind. ”

— Fred Rogers

“ Turn your wounds into wisdom. ”

— Oprah Winfrey

“ This is politics for me. This is my life. I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars. ”

— Billy Porter, 2019

“ Being kind is a choice that you can make absolutely every single day. ”

— Tom Hanks, 2019

“ I remember when I decided to be open about my own personal mental health, it was scary to be that vulnerable and I didn't ever want anyone to think I am a victim. I thought by sharing my own story I could help others. ”

— Selena Gomez

“ There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself. ”

— Hannah Gadsby

“ There's absolutely nothing wrong with you. ”

— Elliot Page, 2023

“ I was everywhere with everybody, and at the same time I was all by myself. ”

— Trevor Noah, 2016

“ I can't overstate the biggest joy, which is really seeing yourself. I know I look different to others, but to me I'm just starting to look like myself. ”

— Elliot Page, 2021

“ I hope it's a bit of a love letter to everyone who feels different, who feels out of place, to all of the Black women who have walked into rooms and felt like they haven't been welcomed. ”

— Cynthia Erivo, 2024

“ It's hard as a young person of a different ethnicity or background to look at the TV and not see anyone who looks like you. ”

— Zendaya, 2016

“ The handicap of deafness is not in the ear; it is in the mind. ”

— Marlee Matlin

“ The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity. ”

— Viola Davis, 2015

“ I use my platform for more than just myself. To neglect the political is to neglect what essentially is your job of storytelling. ”

— Zendaya

“ I'm not OK with someone writing the Asian experience for an Asian character. ”

— Awkwafina, 2019