Elayne Boosler

The sadness of the women’s movement is that they don’t allow the necessity of love. See, I don’t personally trust any revolution where love is not allowed.

I advise young women: Negotiate hard and know your worth.

The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerance. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors, and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.

I believe in gender equality. Being a feminist is for both women and men. I am a feminist.

The best thing you can do is to be a woman and stand before the world and speak your heart.

Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.

I feel there are certain people who are systematically ripping (feminism) down because of their lack of regard and their ignorance about what the women before us had to go through.

I’m attracted to films that have strong female characters because there are strong female characters in my life.

I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.

[on Serena Williams] You are THE epitome of grace and prowess!!! You are an inspiration to all of us. Your purpose to be a leader and a light is a gift to the world!! We love you and thank you for sharing your greatness and spirit!

A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.

We have become the men we wanted to marry.

As I grow and I get older I’m realising more and more that there’s such a beautiful, sensual power that we have as women.

I am a woman with thoughts and questions and sh*t to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story – I will.

I repeat, sir, that in whatever position you place a woman she is an ornament to society and a treasure to the world. As a sweetheart, she has few equals and no superiors; as a cousin, she is convenient; as a wealthy grandmother with an incurable distemper, she is precious; as a wet-nurse, she has no equal among men. What, sir, would the people of the earth be without woman? They would be scarce, sir, almighty scarce.