These days, there are more women with college degrees than men -- as clear an indicator as any of progress by generations of empowered women. Yet there are, of course, many "glass ceilings" left to shatter, and so with an eye toward even further progress, we culled together inspirational quotes by empowered women, and we invite you to submit your favorite woman-to-woman advice. The advice can relate to career success, personal motivation, relationships, and any other driver of female success.
The Best Career Advice From Empowered Women
Dee Dee Myers, Former White House Press Secretary(01 of16)
"Own your success! I can't tell you how often I hear women minimizing their amazing accomplishments. They talk about the parts that could have been better, the things they didn't like, the stuff that went wrong. Don't! Instead, take credit for all the things you do right. You don't have to brag. But you do have to understand your own value. If it helps, make a list. Then communicate what's on your list to the people who need to know. Be clear about the resources, the staff, and the support you need to get the job done; if you don't have them, ask. It's not selfish, it's smart. If you're achieving your goals, chances are, the organization is achieving it's goals, too."
Ivanka Trump, EVP, The Trump Organization(02 of16)
"One of my biggest fears is mediocrity... Naturally I realize that we can't all be great at everything we do, but we can all be great at something. If you are merely surviving at work instead of thriving, perhaps it means you are not in the right field. Bring passion to what you are doing everyday and set your expectations high. Greatness will forever be out of reach if you are not deeply passionate about what you do. If you don't absolutely love, love, love your work, you'll never have what it takes to make it to the top."
Sherri Shepherd, Co-Host, The View(03 of16)
"If you're scared, do it scared!"
Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder & Editor, HuffPost(04 of16)
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. I've always tried to instill in my daughters the self-confidence to be true to themselves, and also the vital importance of perseverance. It's all about getting up one more time than you fall down -- or get knocked down."
Beverly Johnson, Model & Businesswoman(05 of16)
"Don't let anyone define beauty for you. Beauty is limitless and comes in all shapes and colors."
Cat Cora, Chef, Philanthropist & Restaurant Owner(06 of16)
"I was taught growing up to believe in myself and know that there is no end to a woman's growth. Live each moment fully aware of this, and achieve your personal best each day."
Lauren Bush, Co-Founder, Feed Project(07 of16)
"Balance is key in any aspect of life, but especially in work. There must be a balance of...passion and practical knowledge, strategy and flow, new ideas and follow-up, focus and broader perspective, learning and inventing. I feel these yin and yang principles affect everything I do, and finding the balance and time for a bit of everything is very important."
Marlo Thomas, Actress, Producer & Author(08 of16)
"Whenever I am at a crossroads and feeling bombarded by advice, I always stop and ask myself, 'Whose race is this? Mine or somebody else's?' And it always gets me back on my own track."
Mindy Grossman, CEO, HSN, Inc.(09 of16)
"Why do some women have the courage to take that plunge, to defy convention and others do not -- and perhaps never really know where life could have taken them? I think it comes down to two things: purpose and passion. Believing in yourself enough that you are willing to sacrifice the lure of short term security for the unknown and having both the passion and intellectual curiosity to see what else life can offer. If you believe passionately, act with integrity, take personal ownership of the impact of your decisions and have the ability to look yourself in the eyes and admit when you are wrong -- the rewards are that much greater than if you never had the courage to make bold moves or effect transformation or ultimately strive to have a positive and lasting impact on your life as well as the lives of others."
Nora Ephron, Writer/Director(10 of16)
"You've got to make them pay you as much as you can possibly get...we undervalue ourselves so often."
Sara Blakeley, Founder, Spanx(11 of16)
"Don't be afraid to fail! I think so many people have great ideas but because of a fear of failure, they never pursue them... To me, failure is not trying, rather than not succeeding."
Martine Reardon, EVP, Macy's(12 of16)
"There are so many things you will learn over the course of your career, but I think what will really make you soar are the philosophies you live by and embrace every single day. I would encourage today's ambitious young women to remember some genuine and powerful principles: Be passionate and love what you do, and you will be great at it. Listen carefully. Be curious. Never take no for an answer. Always reach for the stars. Remember that creativity is crucial, but it's only as good as your ability to decide and act on it."
Gill Wallace Hope - Queen of Green(13 of16)
Gill Wallace Hope:
She's a single mother to 21 million orphans. She's invested for 30 years in 40 countries to build a Social Development Portfolio empowering 200 million poor across 70 countries. www.youtube.com/queenofgreentv
She's a single mother to 21 million orphans. She's invested for 30 years in 40 countries to build a Social Development Portfolio empowering 200 million poor across 70 countries. www.youtube.com/queenofgreentv
Noreen Fraser(14 of16)
Noreen Fraser is living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, which recently was discovered in her liver. She works relentlessly, raising money for cancer research. She is co-founder of STAND UP TO CANCER and co-produced the TV show, which raised 100 million dollars for cancer research. Noreen went on to create the Noreen Fraser Foundation to raise money and awareness for women's cancer research. The 'Men for Women Now' program enlists men to ask the women they love to make appointments for their mammogram and pap smear.
Priscilla Acuna Atizado(15 of16)
Dexter Atizado:
Mom raised all five of us children by herself after my father died in 1962.
Mom raised all five of us children by herself after my father died in 1962.
Amazing survivors of rape(16 of16)
So many women have risen above a trauma that affects one in five, and have nervously but brilliantly become role models to others who still struggle. Survivors of sexual violence are often the under-acknowledged hidden heroes who won't give up on one another, who remain loyal to those in need, and refuse to let hardship quell their progress. ("Letters To Survivors" is merely a symbolic image to represent the voices of many women contributing to the common cause of healing) (credit:Wichacpi Hokshila)