When Times Are Tough, These 12 Empowering Quotes Will Get You Through
At the 2015 Golden Globes, actress Gina Rodriguez left us all in tears and nodding our heads in agreement. Her speech had touched on the message of encouragement we use ourselves while looking in the mirror every morning, the one we turn to when championing our friends and their dreams — "This award is so much more than myself; it represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes. . . . Today is going to be a great day. I can and I will." So much yes!
That's the great thing that happens when Latinas in the spotlight use their platform to celebrate their successes and determination (and why we need more representation). These 12 quotes spoken by badass women in government positions and Hollywood will carry you through any hard day when self-doubt and the world get to ya. Let this be a reminder of all that is possible!
"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." — Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a 2001 speech at UC Berkeley
"If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken." — Selena Gomez at the American Music Awards in 2016
"I stand here for all of those categories I fit into to say, 'If I can do it, you can do it. If I can follow my dreams, you can follow your dreams. If I can do this with respect and integrity and morality you can too.'" — Gina Rodriguez to TV Guide in 2014
"We are valedictorians and honor students. We are college graduates, bankers, police officers, entertainers, teachers, journalists, politicians, and we are the future of America." — America Ferrera in a Huffington Post op-ed in 2016
"Being perfect is being flawed, accepting it, and never letting it make you feel less than your best." — Jessica Alba in Inc.
"You have to believe in yourself. You have to take care of yourself, work for yourself, believe in yourself, and also be patient with yourself. Learn when not to push too hard, and give yourself a break." — Salma Hayek in Stylist
"I'm going to be an advocate to ensure that we are protecting everyone and we're tearing down barriers and not building barriers." — Senator Catherine Cortez Masto to NPR in 2016
"Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you happy." — Demi Lovato to Seventeen in 2011
"I believe that every single one of us, celebrity or not, has a responsibility to get involved in trying to make a difference in the world. Our generation faces many challenges, some of which were passed on to us by the past generations, but it's up to us to find solutions today, so that we don't keep passing our problems on." — Shakira to Forbes in 2012
"Bigger than life is not difficult for me. I am bigger than life." — Rita Moreno
"Look at me. I came from nothing. I'm using my voice. I don't know where it's going to take me. But I've got you listening. You can do the same." — Diane Guerrero to Vogue 2016
"People underestimate me. They always have, and maybe that's for the best. It's fun to prove them wrong." — Jennifer Lopez to W in 2016