Article By Danielle Jeffries // EEW Magazine // Women’s History Month

Every year in March, we celebrate Women's History Month to highlight the contributions of women in history and contemporary society.

In honor of this special time, EEW Magazine Online has compiled 10 quotes from influential and inspiring women of color past and present.

“You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” ~ Shirley Chisholm

“A woman's gifts will make room for her.” ~ Hattie McDaniel

“Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman

“Keep in mind that you have something that the person standing before you really needs, imagine yourself a missionary and convert him.” Madame C. J. Walker

“Start unknown, finish unforgettable.” ~ Misty Copeland

“Prayer begins where human capacity ends.” ~ Marian Anderson

"Don't settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that's in us." ~ Angela Bassett

"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." ~ Michelle Obama

“People live by example. I can't tell you, ‘You can be anything,’ if I shot my own dreams down or was too afraid to go after them.” ~ Taraji P. Henson

“Do not live someone else's life and someone else's idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you. Womanhood is everything that's inside of you.” ~ Viola Davis

These words of wisdom from these celebrated and respected women resonate, not just during Women’s History month, but all year long.