Alicia Keys

We are a gorgeous, infinite circle of women all shades, all styles, in all the ways we were made. Inside of us everything blooms.

One thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a driver… I love driving.. I’m driven.

What I’m learning is that there is so much to unlearn.

How incredible our ancestors were. The first astrophysicists, scientists, physicians, mathematicians, architects, creators of so much of the world as we know it. It’s a blessing to know what cloth you’re cut from!

Once I became a mother I knew that I was strong, but not ready to do what I’m doing now

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 think it’s a wonderful time for a woman.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

I’m a liability to them – I’m a woman, I’m empowered, I’m an artist. I’ve had executives who can’t come to my shows they’re so scared of me. I’ve been a thorn in many people’s sides just by existing.

I’ve been at so many tables with so many folks who are imposters. But shame on us if we sit by and let an imposter talk us down.

Little girls think it’s necessary to put all their business on MySpace and Facebook, and I think it’s a shame… I’m all about mystery.

I actually trust the women I know. I trust them with their choices, I trust them with their bodies and I trust them with their children. I trust that they are decent enough and wise enough and worthy enough to carry the right of abortion.

I have tremendous respect for women.

Being a strong woman is very important to me. But doing it all on my own is not.

I’m not a feminist. If men were going through the things women are going through today, I would be fighting for them with just as much passion. I believe in equality.

I think the golden rule for men should be: If you’re a man, don’t say anything to a woman on the street that you wouldn’t want a man saying to you in prison.

Women are not a special interest group. They are half of this country and they are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health.

I was subscribing to this sick identity. … Stay in your place, be feminine, be a lady, don’t make too much noise.

What sometimes is missing for young girls is that so early in our lives we’re shushed. And not just directly shushed. Sometimes we’re treated a little too preciously. They treat us like a doll. They don’t treat us like real beings, equal partners. I was loved early by my father, but I was never so precious that he didn’t think I could be there at the table.

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

No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizens.