International Women's Equality Day 2016, which falls on Aug. 26, celebrates women's right to vote in the United States. It was on the same day in 1920 that the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified as law, allowing women all over the country to vote.
In celebration of the same, we have compiled some of the best, most badass quotes by powerful women in TV and movies. These characters make every woman proud and remind every man what they need to be a feminist and support equal rights.
Joy
This Jennifer Lawrence-starrer is the biography of a self-made female millionaire. Do we need to say anything more? Everything about this film is amazingly inspirational, especially Joy's principles in life. The following quote may be simple on the surface but speaks volumes about the hard work and determination that led her to the top.
Joy: "I want you to remember something, because a lot of times people get nice things and they start to think differently. We got here from hard work, patience and humility. So I want to tell you, don't ever think that the world owes you anything, because it doesn't. The world doesn't owe you a thing."
Parks and Recreation
If Leslie Knope were to ever run for president in the real world, you know that Oval Office is going to be her bedroom and office. One, because there is no way she's losing and two, because come on, do you know a bigger workaholic? Leslie is one of the most positive and hardworking politicians in the fictional world of television, but even she needed to be reminded that she needs to dream bigger. Check out this conversation between Leslie and Jen Barkley.
Leslie: It's my dream job.
Jen: Then dream bigger. Look, you love this job. It's being run by monsters and morons? Get a better job. Rise above their heads. Effect change at a higher level. Don't be the kind that graduates high school and hangs out in the school parking lot. Be the woman who moves away, climbs the ladder and then confidently comes back and has sex with her hot old English teacher just for kicks.
Mona Lisa Smile
For most people "Mona Lisa Smile" is the embodiment of feminism. Complete with brilliant actresses like Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles, this classic film about a free-thinking art professor set in the 1950s was probably the wakeup call for many a young feminist. See this beautiful quote from Dunst's Betty Warren, one of the more conservative student's in Katherine Watson's (Roberts) class.
"My teacher, Katherine Watson, lived by her own definition, and would not compromise that. Not even for Wellesley. I dedicate this, my last editorial, to an extraordinary woman who lived by example and compelled us all to see the world through new eyes. By the time you read this, she'll be sailing to Europe, where I know she'll find new walls to break down and new ideas to replace them with. I've heard her called a quitter for leaving, an aimless wanderer. But not all who wander are aimless. Especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition; beyond definition; beyond the image."
Crazy Ex-girlfriend
Fans of the CW show know that this is a hilarious show that touches upon a usually serious topic like feminism with a touch of sarcasm and a lot of music. So this particular quote is not necessarily a dialogue per se, but the verses of a song titled "Put Yourself First."
"Put yourself first girl, worry about yourself. Make yourself sexy just for yourself. So when dudes see you, just out yourself first, They'll be like 'damn girl, hot! Wanna make out?' Push them boobs up just for yourself. Wear six inch heels just for yourself..."
