105 feminist phrases of great thinkers of history

In this article you can find 100 famous feminist phrases by authors recognized worldwide as Gloria Steinem, Margaret Atwood, Jane Austen or Naomi Wolf.

From this compilation of reflections, the motivations, concerns and intellectual objectives of this movement can be intuited throughout different historical stages.

• Related article: "Micromachismos: 4 subtle samples of everyday machismo"

Feminist activism

According to the Royal Spanish Academy, feminism is defined as: "ideology that defines that women should have the same opportunities as men."

Despite this cursory definition, the debate on what feminism is and should be is still topical, and the different currents of this movement have led to talk about "feminisms" to reflect this plurality. For example, a part of this social and political movement defends in the first place the equality between genders as a common goal, while another places the defense of a new femininity at the center of its claims.

Feminism is something more than the above and brings together a series of ideas, thoughts and historical facts that explain its essence much better than the meanings mentioned. To do this, we will present the feminist phrases of the great authors of modern and contemporary history.

• Related article: "Types of feminism and their different currents of thought”

105 feminist phrases to remember

Below you can see an extensive compilation of strong phrases about feminism from the mouth of different types of recognized personalities: artists, politicians, thinkers... Which one do you think is the most accurate?

1. Feminism is the ability to choose what you want to do (Nancy Reagan)

This famous phrase refers to feminism not only as a movement against the role of women, but also as its own integrity and ability to decide her own personality.

2. I am strong, I am ambitious and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a "bitch", that's fine (Madonna)

The famous queen of pop had a rough start in the world of music. It was the singing voice when breaking all the feminine molds of the angelic singer, and opted for a cheeky style.

4. A woman without a man, she is like a fish without a bicycle (Gloria Steinem)

In the middle of the 20th century, this famous journalist was in the eye of the hurricane (for the tremendously macho society of the time) for the radical feminist comments of her. This phrase comes to say that man is totally expendable.

5. Feminism is not just for women, it is allowing everyone to have a fuller life (Jane Fonda)

As mentioned previously, here is another author who does not exceed the feminist movement as something exclusive to women, but tries to reach people above gender.

6. "Feminism" is a radical notion that women are human beings (Cheris Chramarae)

Phrase extracted from the "Feminist Dictionary", wanted to emphasize that the movement fought for women to be seen as any other person and not as an object, sexual in most of the time.

7. I refuse to act the way men want me to act (Madonna)

The famous artist surprised again with these statements. Severely criticized for her image as an "antihero", many began to question her professionalism, calling her provocative and a symbol of sin.

8. I hate men who fear the force of women (Anaïs Nin)

This phrase explains the relationship between men's rejection of feminism and their own fears seeing in women an emancipated and powerful entity.

9. Anyone who hates something feels threatened by it (Neil Strauss)

Continuing with the previous example, this time in the opinion of a man, it refers to fear that is the first cause of the confrontation with the feminist movement.

10. The thing that women haven't learned yet is that no one has given them that power. They just take it (Roseanne Barr)

Women were subdued by the system, set up by men, for centuries, and this explains why it took them so long to fight for their rights. They had to use unconventional methods to make themselves heard.

11. The word feminism needs to be rescued. It needs to be claimed in a way that is inclusive for the man (Annie Lennox)

Once again, another author stresses the importance of including men in the feminist collective consciousness. It should not be a fight of the ladies, but of them too.

12. No woman has an orgasm cleaning the kitchen floor. (Betty Friedan)

For centuries it has been tried to convince society that women are in her natural habitat when they do household chores. Betty disagreed very much and made a very explicit analogy.

13. Feminism is not based on hating men, it is fighting against the absurd distinction between genders (Robert Webb)

Another man who joins the feminist claim. Break gender boundaries in every way.

14. I know enough to understand that no woman should marry a man who hates her mother. (Martha Gellhorn)

Martha Gelhorn was a specialist in gender psychology, and established a nexus between the son-mother relationship. She ruled that the relationship between the two would determine the sentimental partner of a woman.

15. Feminism is hated because women are hated (Andrea Dworkin)

Some expert thinkers and intellectuals compared the rejection of feminism with the hatred that male society had for the opposite sex.

16. A feminist is anyone who recognizes equality and full humanity in women and men (Gloria Steinem)

This American journalist also emphasized a shared struggle between both sexes, without distinction or putting one gender above the other.

17. What? Do you think feminism means hating men? (Cindy Lauper)

Cindy Lauper harshly criticized the misconception of feminism. Arguing with an anonymous man on the subject she observed how wrong she was with the values ​​of the movement.

18. Men fear that women laugh at them. Women fear that men will murder them (Margaret Atwood)

A very successful complaint to explain the shortcomings of civil society, where women they receive denigrating treatment in front of the male sex.

19. The freedom to be you and me (Ruth Bader)

Luth Bader wanted to explain with this phrase that both men and women should not renounce their personality or dreams for one or the other. Being a couple does not exclude having your own personalities within the relationship.

20. I will not be a free woman as long as there are still women subjected (Audre Lorde)

This American activist was in all the editorials and media denouncing the poor conditions in the one experienced by women throughout the world, regardless of whether she was directly affected or not.

21. When a man gives his opinion, he is a man. When a woman does it, she's a whore (Bette Davis)

Here the differential treatment that was given to women in the same case is reflected, and as the result it was radically opposite.

22. If you pretend to be strong, you better have a pussy. This thing takes all the blows! (Sheng Wang)

An unorthodox way to claim the role of women in society. The female genitalia represent the occasions in which women resist discriminatory treatment by men.

23. Nobody knows me or loves me completely. I only have myself (Simone de Beauvoir)

This sentence refers to the dependence of women on men, something wrong and that the author Simone encourages women to know how to fend for themselves.

24. Man is from Earth, woman is from Earth. Live with it (George Carling)

Geroge Carling thus explained that women come from the same place as men, avoiding denigrations such as that the female sex is inferior or is conceived differently.

25. What is the worst thing you can call a man? Whore, woman, queer... (Jessica Valenti)

Jessica Valenti was very clear with this phrase when showing how badly treated women are even from an unconscious point of view, as is the insult to the man.

26. Equality is like gravity, a necessity (Joss Whedon)

Another male author who advocated equality above all else, without distinction or palliative.

27. Male opposition to female independence is perhaps more interesting than independence itself (Virginia Woolf)

Some characters, such as Virginia Wolf, did not come out of their astonishment when they saw how complex the acceptance of feminism in macho society was.

28. I do not remember having read any book that does not talk about the instability of women. Maybe because they were written by men (Jane Austen)

This sentence explains the elaborate and intentional image that male authors made towards women, always inventing a weak and unbalanced character.

29. A woman who does not have control over her body cannot be a free woman (Margaret Sanger)

Above all there was respect in the purely physical aspect of the woman, above the intellectual, being considered an object of sexual desire, one had to know how to manage her body to take the next step.

30. Society will continue to be backward until we liberate women, praise them or educate them (Saddam Hussein)

As surprising as it may seem, the Iraqi president recited this phrase in one of his public exhibitions. The president of Iraq universalized studies and made his one of the first Arab countries to educate women.

31. Do you really believe that everything that is said about men - and women - is true? All those stories were written by men, who only tell the truth by accident (Moderata Fonte)

Moderata Fonte emphasized what the historian books said, taking into account that the majority of scholars were men.

32. Feminism is not sharing "the cake" between both sexes, it is making a new one (Gloria Steinem)

Gloria Steinem gave feminism a new idea again: that of starting from scratch, creating something totally different from what was already preconceived.

33. Feminism also benefits men (Karin Slaughter)

This phrase explains the win-win situation that feminism entails, since men should not worry about having to take all the financial responsibilities of the home, as long as you let work his wife.

34. If feminism were not so powerful, people would not go out of their way to belittle it (Jessica Valenti)

Jessica Valenti took this approach to explain the fierce confrontation feminism endured every time it manifested itself.

35. Being a woman is like being Irish. Everyone tells you that you are important and nice, but we are always in the background (Iris Murdoch)

This writer explained in this way the little seriousness with which the feminist struggle was treated. Even in theoretical acceptance, in reality there were still no significant changes.

36. Laws, customs and politics. Everything is assembled to remember that women are made for men (Elizabeth Cady)

In this sentence it is emphasized once again that men made the future and functioning of society to their measure, subjecting women in all areas.

37. There is no feminine thought. The brain is not a sexual organ (Charlotte Perkins)

Charlotte Perkins raised the argumentative level, taking as an example the biological condition of the organ that controls our thoughts.

38. Vaginas constantly beat the penis. Penises are defenseless against them (Emma Chase)

In this way she wanted to explain the weakness of man: sexual desire, the only moment where the man gives in to the woman.

39. When God created man she was practicing (Rita Mae Brown)

Nothing better than sarcasm to ridicule the divine arguments that put women below men.

40. Good girls go to heaven and bad girls everywhere! (Helen Gurley)

This famous phrase has become famous to this day. This is how Helen Gurley vindicated the emancipation of women, pushing them towards absolute freedom.

41. Beauty is not a rent you pay for occupying a space in the women's market (Erin McKean)

Mckean, an expert in lexicography, was another American intellectual reference in the fight for feminism, belittling the importance of beauty versus thought.

42. If all men are born free, why are women born slaves? (Mary Astell)

Mary Atell pioneered the movement. She is an English writer and rhetorician, she already questioned in the seventeenth century the religious bases that gave a denigrating role to women.

43. Whiskey, gambling and Ferraris are better than housework (Françoise Sagan)

French actress and writer, she wanted to explain how boring a woman's life was and that, ultimately, she shared the same desires as a man.

44. Anyone who knows a little history knows that progress would be impossible without the female figure (Karl Marx)

The most influential socialist revolutionary in history, he was among the first to integrate the role of women in the political struggle to combat capitalism.

45. For most of the story, "Anonymous" was a woman (Virginia Woolf)

Considered one of the most influential figures of modernism, Virginia Woolf was a writer, editor, novelist and feminist of the 20th century. She wrote in this way the invisibility of women in society.

46. My silence did not protect me. Your silence will not protect you (Audre Lorde)

Audre Lorde was a writer and 20th century African American feminist activist. Publicly declared a lesbian, she was the spearhead in all demonstrations for women's rights.

47. It took me years to be able to sit more than two minutes in front of the table and the white paper (Erica Jong)

This famous American writer and teacher is one of the most influential feminists of modernity. With this phrase she explains her personal experience of becoming independent from her as a person through her university studies.

48. In the movies, female heroines need a friend, a partner, but not a savior (Hayao Miyazaki)

Producer of Japanese animation film, Hayao explains in this way the strength and independence that women had in his works.

49. Women are multi-orgasmic and men are not. Are we really inferior? (Mary Swift)

This Australian journalist she wanted to express her disagreement like this with the idea that women were inferior to men.

50. I love being single, it's the closest thing to being a millionaire (Sue Grafton)

For detective novelist Sue Grafton, financial independence was a determining factor in her total emancipation from man.

51. That man who chooses a woman just for her beauty sabotages himself (Naomi Wolf)

Author of the work "The myth of beauty", Naomi Wolf is considered one of the famous representatives of the her third wave of feminism, and she explained in this way how absurd it was to characterize a woman by her picture.

52. Equality will come when a foolish woman can go as far as today a foolish man reaches (Estelle Ramey)

Estelle Ramey was an internationally recognized psychologist and feminist for publicly rejecting the speech of an American politician, who claimed female hormonal disability so that they could occupy a position in politics.

53. Women have to be filled with courage to achieve their sleeping dreams (Alice Walker)

A reflection on the difficulties of reaching certain goals as a woman.

54. Capabilities are only demonstrated when performed (Simone Parks)

Simone Parks was another feminist thinker of the 19th century, and she emphasized giving more importance to actions than words to fight against machismo.

55. Gold chains are still chains... (Robert Tier)

A symbolic way of illustrating that a woman, no matter how well she lives materially, will not be free as a person. The material will never replace the emotional.

56. Sexuality is like languages, we can all learn one (Beatriz Preciado)

This representative of the movement queer she thus expresses her idea that sexuality is linked to social constructs.

57. Male and female roles are not biologically fixed but are socially constructed (Judith Butler)

One of the main drivers of the third wave of feminism It is Judith Butler, who here expresses her criticism of the belief that the sexes are biologically attributed to certain styles of behavior and functions.

58. Economic independence is the first step, you will not have to ask the man for support in case of separation (Ayaan Hirsi)

In line with her other counterparts, this activist reflected the importance of economic capacity to achieve the emancipation of women.

59. The man is capable of creating wars, the woman only creates peace (Jessy Dillon)

Jessy Dillon, an American singer, uttered this phrase at one of her concerts at Woodstock 69, when her country was mired in the Vietnam War.

60. Man's virility is the way to despise woman (Simone de Beauvoir)

Writer and teacher by profession, Simone de Beauvoir was one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century and a prominent feminist. She thus explained the cause of the subjection of women as a lack of man with himself.

61. The myth of beauty always prescribes behavior, not appearance (Naomi Wolf)

We return to the famous Naomi, again portraying the absurdity of the image as something psychological, and not physical.

62. Oppressed men, it is a tragedy. Oppressed women, it is tradition (Letty Cottin)

Letty Cottin is a writer and activist still alive, and who highlighted with this phrase the treatment given to women in the same situation.

63. Feminism will never be understood if it is only understood by a few (Margin Hooks)

An African-American athlete, she joined the feminist marches coinciding with the demand for human rights for her fellow black citizens.

64. The Bible has been the largest concrete block in front of female independence (Elizabeth Cady)

Historically the Church has confronted women with divine beliefs. Elizabeth Cady wanted to express her frustration with the holy scriptures in this way.

65. The only way to find yourself is by knowing yourself (Betty Friedan)

Betty Friedan is another intellectual and feminist leader of the last century. With this famous phrase, she made millions of women aware that they were trapped in dependence on men.

66. The feeling of independence and security is better than sex (Susan Anthony)

Activist and fighter for women's suffrage In the United States during the 19th century, Susan Anthony expressed in this way the feeling that she experienced obtaining freedom as an independent woman.

67. A woman reading Playboy is like a Jew reading a Nazi magazine (Gloria Steinem)

This is how the journalist Gloria Steinem wanted to describe her discomfort with women who were not aware of the feminist movement.

68. She cried when I left her, which seemed normal to me coming from a man (Emilie Autum)

This American artist explained in this way her personal experience when she separated from her sentimental partner.

69. The Vatican does not judge pedophilia, but a woman who does not want to have children, is it reprehensible? (Sonya Renee)

This is how Sonya Renee wanted to emphasize the treatment women received by the Holy See.

70. Only stupid men want stupid wives (Robert Tier)

Robert Tier surprised again with these lucid statements, where he ridiculed the men who preferred to have a docile woman against a smart woman.

71. Your body is yours to protect and enjoy (Jenny Han)

Writer of teenage novels, Jenny Han defended the importance of the control that women should have over their own bodies.

72. Feminism is the radical notion that women are people (Virginia Woolf)

She is the pillar of the ideology of Virginia Woolf, whose phrase she highlighted the categorization of women into persons and not objects Nobody's property.

73. You can be idiotic, stupid, and rude. But as long as you are a virgin, you will be "good" (Jessica Valenti)

Jessica Valenti went down in the annals of feminism for this famous phrase that ridiculed the concept of "good" or "bad" woman.

74. I think housework is more stressful than hunting (Nancy Mitford)

An English novelist and writer, she wanted to pay attention to household chores and not put man's chores above her, giving as an example something as virile as hunting.

75. If a man loves his work, he is a genius. If a woman does it, she is a "geek" (Dorothy Sayers)

Here the paradox between the working man and the woman who aspires to enter the labor market is shown again.

76. Women are supposed to be temperate and patient. When they are not, they need treatment (Charlotte Brönte)

Charlotte Brönte thus described how conditioned women were even on an emotional and psychological level.

77. A prostitute is someone, generally a woman, who has stepped outside the lines set by society (Jaclyn Friedman)

A forceful phrase by Jacly Friedman that once again highlighted the guidelines that women should follow within society.

78. The female company has made me see the true sense of strength, determination and courage (Franz Kafka)

Confession of the illustrious German author She that she expressed in this way the value that women have in any circumstance, even on an adventurous expedition.

79. In all fields of the world of work, women remain second-class citizens (Betty Friedan)

A problem that is still latent today. Betty once again emphasized the contempt of the female sex in the labor market.

80. Is the myth of female beauty good for men? (Naomi Woolf)

In this way Naomi Woolf questioned the impact of beauty even for the well-being of man.

81. I deserve something better, dangerous and crazy to entertain me (Meredith Duran)

A groundbreaking phrase mentioned by Meredith Duran, an American romance novelist.

82. Nobody cares about mothers except when they are poor or black. The question is not moral, but economic (Toni Morrison)

Pulitzer Prize Winner in 1988, Toni Morrison is an American writer dealing with people of color, especially poor women.

83. It's hard to be a fighter when your arms are tied (Cassandra Duffy)

Cassandra Duffy denounced the few weapons and means that women had to be able to develop and evolve within society.

84. Being born a woman is my greatest tragedy (Sylvia Path)

A most tragic statement, Sylvia Path wanted to convey in this way his frustration with injustices women suffered. One of the most expressive feminist phrases.

85. There was a time when you walked alone, wrote alone, studied alone, and dressed alone. Remember that moment (Monique Wittig)

Monique Witting so brilliantly manifested the moment when the woman was totally independent and capable of being self-sufficient.

86. Love is the opium of women. While we loved, men ruled (Kate Millet)

For Millet, the meaning of love has distracted them from their fight for emancipation.

87. The oppressor would not be so strong if he did not have accomplices among the oppressed themselves (Simone de Beauvoir)

Simone hits hard again, holding impassive women accountable for injustices.

88. All the misfortunes of the world come from the oblivion and contempt that until today has been made of the natural and essential rights of being a woman (Flora Tristán)

Another of the founders of modern feminism who insisted on collective consciousness.

89. Femininity is the art of being a slave. We can call it seduction and make it a matter of glamor. It is simply about getting used to behaving like someone inferior (Virgine Despentes)

Because of false preconceptions, the woman was already born conditioned by the rules of the man.

90. Being excluded from power gives women incredible freedom of thought, accompanied by painful fragility (Fátima Mernissi)

Every cloud has a silver lining. Fatima took advantage of gender discrimination.

91. The most common way that people give you their power is that they think they don't have it (Alice Walker)

Wanting is power. Self-belief will compromise his future.

92. The feminine in the patriarchy would not be what women are, but what men have built for them (Luce Iragaray)

Luce Igaray once again influences the masculine construction of the capacities and role of women in society.

93. Gender is between the ears and not between the legs (Chaz Bono)

Son of singer Cher, Chaz Bono is a leading activist for the rights of women, gays and lesbians.

94. Before God, we are all equally wise and equally foolish (Albert Einstein)

The one who was one of the best scientists of all time, broke a spear in favor of equality.

95. If you think you are limited by your gender, race or origin, you will become even more limited (Carly Fiorina)

American politician and businesswoman, Carly Fiorina has been an inspiration in 21st century feminism.

96. Privilege is the greatest enemy of law (Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach)

This writeraustrian she was a notable feminist influencer for her psychological novels as early as the 19th century.

97. Well-behaved women rarely make history (Eleanor Roosevelt)

The former first lady of the United States, she was a reference for the feminist movement in the post-World War II era.

98. I do not want women to have power over men, but over themselves (Mary Wollstonecraft)

18th century English philosopher and writer, Mary Wollstonecraft prioritized female awareness above the male.

99. Male and female are not two sexes superior or inferior to each other. They are simply different (Gregorio Marañón)

A clear and direct appreciation of the famous Spanish doctor, thinker and writer.

100. When women have power, they decisively improve the lives of those around them (Prince Henry of England)

This is how the grandson of Elizabeth II of England wanted to express the importance of women in the development of modern civilizations.

101. The bravest act is to think for yourself, out loud (Coco Chanel)

Famous phrase of the great fashion designer.

102. We ignore our true height until we stand up (Emily Dickinson)

It is when we fight for our rights that we can see our true moral greatness.

103. They teach us to hide / To lower our eyes and feel ashamed / To depend on someone else's gaze to see us shine (Albanta San Román)

An excerpt from a poem that tells us about the first glimpses of machismo in a woman's life.

104. Some women choose to follow men, others decide to follow their dreams (Lady Gaga)

Each one has to choose.

105. Get out there and do something. It is not your room that is a prison, you are yourself (Sylvia Plath)

In many cases, the limitations are self-imposed.