Check out these 100 "Woman With Confidence" Quotes From Iconic Black Women

As black women, we share a collective history, courage and power and we are all united by a universal suffrage and sisterhood. While we may have differing degrees of success and self-worth, we ALL have the potential for greatness.

If you’re not where you want to be right now, or need some extra motivation, here are 100 “Woman with Confidence” quotes from iconic black women that will give you a dose of self-love and encouragement.

We all need a little pick-me-up from time to time! Keep scrolling for all 95+ woman with confidence quotes!

Beyoncé

If you don’t know who Beyoncé is, you’ve been living under a rock! This woman is not only a phenomenal artist and vocalist, she’s also an incredible role model for black women and women in general.

She is a strong activist for the black community, participating in great films such as Dream Girls and Cadillac Records, creating amazing works like Black is King and demonstrating her loyalty to the cause time and time again!

And, here are 10 Beyoncé quotes to help you be a woman with confidence, too:

“When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“Power is not given to you. You have to take it.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“A true diva is graceful, and talented, and strong, and fearless and brave and someone with humility.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“It is so liberating to really know what I want, what truly makes me happy, what I will not tolerate. I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“I embrace mistakes. They make you who you are.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don’t know you think.” - Beyoncé Knowles
“Don’t try to lessen yourself for the world; let the world catch up to you.” - Beyoncé Knowles

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is often cited in reference to her husband or as the former first lady, but she is an influential and iconic woman in her own right. She started from humble beginnings and propelled herself to completing her education at at ivy league institutions Princeton and Harvard, and held a career as an accomplished attorney. She is also a best-selling author, speaker and commentator and an advocate for children and human rights. She is a pillar of the black community and has wealth of wisdom to share. Here are some of her best quotes on confidence to help you sit in your true self-worth:

"Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude," - Michelle Obama
"Am I good enough? Yes I am." - Michelle Obama
“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
"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end." - Michelle Obama
"Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed." - Michelle Obama
"There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others." - Michelle Obama
“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values. and follow my own moral compass, then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own." - Michelle Obama
“Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail." - Michelle Obama
“You have to fill your bucket with positive energy—and if you have people hanging around you that are bringing you down and not lifting you up, whether that’s your ‘boo’ or your best friend—you have to learn how to push these people to the side" - Michelle Obama
“Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t." - Michelle Obama

Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is a crusader and my mighty Spelman Sister! This woman has so much fight in her, she was able to help turn the tide of an entire election and flip the state of Georgia blue. She helped give a voice to voters and people who didn’t think their point of view mattered. If that doesn’t inspire confidence, I don’t know what else would! Not only is she also an author, but in 2021 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here are some of her quotes that can help you learn to be a woman with confidence, too:

“We must cease being participants in our own oppression.” - Stacey Abrams
“Admitting mistakes is a fundamental skill too few of us learn. In Part, this is because we’ve been taught it’s wrong to be wrong.” Stacey Abrams
“Invention, discovery, and empires are built of chances taken with high degrees of failure,” Stacey Abrams
“The most significant successes come from letting your light shine, embracing failure, and getting good at being wrong.” Stacey Abrams
“Names matter; labels matter. We should always pursue the highest title available and fight for the labels that reflect our clout.” Stacey Abrams
“Remember this in the darkest moments, when the work doesn’t seem worth it, and change seems just out of reach: out of our willingness to push through comes a tremendous power . . . use it.” Stacey Abrams
“Not only must we stop telling ourselves no, we have to internalize our right to make mistakes and to use error as an entry point to more knowledge.” Stacey Abrams
“Financial independence gives us the power to decide our futures and liberate our conception of what’s possible.” Stacey Abrams
“We will all, at some point, encounter hurdles to gaining access and entry, moving up and conquering self-doubt; but on the other side is the capacity to own opportunity and tell our own story.” -Stacey Abrams
“The way to win is to try.” Stacey Abrams

Angela Davis

Young people may not be familiar with Angela Davis, but she is an icon to many. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, like my parents, she is currently a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Before that she was literally fighting in the trenches for civil rights and social justice in the 60s and 70s. She was and is a radical for change. Here are some of her inspiring words:

“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” - Angela Davis
“It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” - Angela Davis
“I don’t think we have any alternative other than remaining optimistic. Optimism is an absolute necessity, even if it’s only optimism of the will, as Gramsci said, and pessimism of the intellect.” - Angela Davis
“I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change… I’m changing the things I cannot accept.” - Angela Davis
“We should seek out all the doors which still remain ajar, however slight the opening might be.” - Angela Davis
“Sometimes we have to do the work even though we don’t yet see a glimmer on the horizon that it’s actually going to be possible.” - Angela Davis
“We are not afraid to adopt a revolutionary stance — if, indeed, we wish to be radical in our quest for change — then we must get to the root of our oppression. After all, radical simply means ‘grasping things at the root.’” - Angela Davis
“Walls turned sideways are bridges.” - Angela Davis
“We must always attempt to lift as we climb.” - Angela Davis
“I try never to take myself for granted as somebody who should be out there speaking. Rather, I'm doing it only because I feel there's something important that needs to be conveyed.” - Angela Davis

Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King was the wife of Martin Luther King, and beyond that, an incredible mother and activist. She fought against oppression for all people. She was a speaker, educator and author who overcame unimaginable hardships with grace and power. Let her words and example build you up to a more confident woman:

“Just be what you are. And I try to be my best self and be what I am and knowing what I am and be satisfied with that. And if people don't know it, maybe they'll eventually know it.” - Coretta Scott King
”When fear rushed in, I learned how to hear my heart racing but refused to allow my feelings to sway me. That resilience came from my family. It flowed through our bloodline.” - Coretta Scott King
“Before I was married to Martin and became a King, I was a proud Scott, shaped by my mother's discernment and my father's strength.” - Coretta Scott King
“When you are willing to make sacrifices for a great cause, you will never be alone.” - Coretta Scott King
“When the heart is right, the mind and body will follow.” - Coretta Scott King
“When Good Friday comes, these are the moments in life when we feel there’s no hope. But then, Easter comes.” - Coretta Scott King
“People asked me how was I able to do this and raise four children at the same time. I can only reply that when God calls you to a great task, he provides you with the strength to accomplish what he has called you to do . . .” - Coretta Scott King
“I am convinced that the women of the world, united without any regard for national or racial dimensions, can become a most powerful force for international peace and brotherhood.” - Coretta Scott King
“Women, in general, are not part of the corruption of the past, so they can give a new kind of leadership, a new image for mankind.” - Coretta Scott King
“Without Coretta Scott King, there would not have been a Martin Luther King, Jr. in the way that we know him.” - Coretta Scott King

Madam C J Walker

Madam CJ Walker was one of the first African-American women to become a self-made millionaire. She broke through barriers and overcame countless obstacles to bring her dream and vision alive, all well helping to lift others and provide them with their own opportunities for success.

She built a hair empire that still impacts black hair , beauty products, and culture today. You can learn more about her life and legacy in the Netflix Series, Self Made and read her inspiring quotes, below, to help you build your own successes, too:

“Perseverance is my motto.” - Madam CJ Walker
“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it!” - Madam CJ Walker
“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” - Madam CJ Walker
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations.” - Madam CJ Walker
“It’s pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t made up your mind which way to go.” - Madam CJ Walker
“I have built my own factory on my own ground!” - Madam CJ Walker
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” - Madam CJ Walker
“Open Your Own Shop; Secure Prosperity and Freedom.” - Madam CJ Walker
“If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.” - Madam CJ Walker
“Girls and women of our race must not be afraid to take hold of business endeavour and, by patient industry, close economy, determined effort, and close application to business, wring success out of a number of business opportunities that lie at their doors.” - Madam CJ Walker

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah, is a woman known by just her first name. She is a mogul, activist, author, actress and role model with some of the most powerful and inspiring interviews, performances and legacies of our time.

She’s rubbed shoulders with all of the most influential and important black men and women in recent history and has so much knowledge and wisdom to impart. Here are some of her greatest “Woman with Confidence” quotes to know:

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” - Oprah Winfrey
“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” - Oprah Winfrey
“When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” - Oprah Winfrey
“Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world in your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others.” - Oprah Winfrey
“Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.” - Oprah Winfrey
“You are where you are in life because of what you believe is possible for yourself.” - Oprah Winfrey
“Your calling isn’t something that somebody can tell you about. It’s what you feel. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that you are supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.” - Oprah Winfrey
“I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is?” Now I have the courage to stand and say, “This is who I am.” - Oprah Winfrey
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you – always.” - Oprah Winfrey
“I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.” - Oprah Winfrey

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a legendary author, poet, scholar and activist, creating some of the most important works of literature in recent times. One of her most popular works is titled, Caged Bird, which is also one of the most recognizable poems of all time.

Here is a compilation of some of her most powerful speeches and some of her incredible quotes about courage and confidence below:

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” - Maya Angelou
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” - Maya Angelou
“Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances. You are a child of God. Stand up straight.” - Maya Angelou
“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” - Maya Angelou
“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” - Maya Angelou
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” - Maya Angelou
“Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.” - Maya Angelou
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” - Maya Angelou
“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” - Maya Angelou
“Determine to live life with flair and laughter.” - Maya Angelou

Shirley Chisolm

Shirley Chisolm was the first African-American woman to be elected to congress and the first to seek presidential nomination. She was an incredible activist, humanitarian and role model who destroyed barriers and broke glass ceilings. You can get her biography here and you don’t want to miss her incredible, confidence-building quotes below:

”You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” - Shirley Chisolm
”If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” - Shirley Chisolm
”We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.” - Shirley Chisolm
”I am, and always will be a catalyst for change.” - Shirley Chisolm
”Be as bold as the first man or [woman] to eat an oyster.” - Shirley Chisolm
”Don’t listen to those who say YOU CAN’T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.” - Shirley Chisolm
”Defeat should not be the source of discouragement, but a stimulus to keep plotting.” - Shirley Chisolm
”I want history to remember me not just as the first black woman to be elected to Congress, not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and dared to be herself.” - Shirley Chisolm
”I’m looking to no man walking this earth for approval of what I’m doing.” - Shirley Chisolm
“I’d like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That’s how I’d like to be remembered.” - Shirley Chisolm

Misty Copeland

Copeland is an American Ballet dancer with the American Ballet Theater and the first African-American to be named principal dancer with ABT.

She is also an author and activist, inspiring women everywhere, both young and old. Here are some of her best quotes about confidence.

“I knew that I just didn't have it in me to give up, even if I sometimes felt like a fool for continuing to believe.” - Misty Copeland
“Start unknown, finish unforgettable.” - Misty Copeland
“ . . . don't let them take you over. Walk into the room knowing you are the best. Shoulders back, chin up. Their attitudes will totally change.” - Misty Copeland
“I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” - Misty Copeland
“All you can do is be your best self. I'm representing more than just me. I think everyone should be like that.” - Misty Copeland
“Knowing that it has never been done before makes me want to fight even harder.” - Misty Copeland
“Decide what you want. Declare it to the world. See yourself winning. And remember that if you are persistent as well as patient, you can get whatever you seek.” - Misty Copeland
“Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed.” - Misty Copeland
“Don’t underestimate yourself. You are more capable than you think.” - Misty Copeland
“I can do anything when I am in a tutu.” - Misty Copeland

I hope you’ll use these “Woman with Confidence” quotes from these incredible women to help you stand tall and achieve your goals and dreams. Remember, you are worthy simply by virtue of having been born, and you have the potential to be and become anything you set your mind to!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out these Love Yourself Quotes from Famous Black Women, these Morning Affirmations for Black Women, and 9 Things to Stop Doing to Live Your Best Life!