10 quotes from freedom fighters that inspire us into action
It has long been said, ‘actions speak louder than words’. But I’ve found that those who have fought hard for what they believe often have a thing or two to say about their journey. These thoughts they share, backed by action, inspire us to imagine a better future. The following ten quotes include powerful words. These powerful words from social justice advocates past and present can inspire us to continue our own fight to bring an end to human trafficking. Whether we are writers, advocates, scientists, or athletes, we all have the opportunity to create change.
“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
Oprah Winfrey, born into poverty in rural Mississippi, overcame incredible odds. She became the first black female news anchor at Nashville's WLAC-TV. Her groundbreaking show shaped much of what modern talk shows are today. Oprah has become a voice for many who often didn’t see themselves represented in television spaces. As a woman of color, she has created a new wave for minority women to achieve their dreams.
“We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” – Marie Curie
Marie Curie was the first woman to not only win a Nobel Prize but to win it TWICE. She paved the way for women in science and became the first female professor at the University of Paris.
“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” – Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian - American writer and philosopher who broke societal norms for women in philosophy. A dozen publishers rejected her manuscript that would later sell over seven million copies. The Fountainhead became a bestseller within two years purely through word of mouth.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker
Alice Walker is an internationally celebrated writer, poet, and activist. She broke strides as a woman of color by winning the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 1983 and the National Book Award. Alice wrote seven novels, four collections of short stories, four children’s books and volumes of essays and poetry. Alice continues to share the voices of those marginalized and oppressed. A human rights advocate and ambassador for change, she stepped into the spaces she wanted to see made different.
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou would have a very full LinkedIn profile; she was a poet, singer, civil rights advocate, and held over 50 honorary degrees. Maya worked hard, she overcame barriers in her way to accomplish her dream of writing. She evolved from a fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer to one of the greatest voices our world has ever known. After suffering from childhood abuse and trauma, Angelou spent nearly five years silent. During this time is when she discovered her love for music and developed her incredible memory. Maya Angelou penned “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, sharing hope for even the darkest corners of the earth.
"People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do." - Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day was an activist, pacifist and women’s suffrage ambassador. Involved politically and socially, Dorothy was arrested many times for protesting and even participated in a hunger strike. She went through some dark relational struggles and eventually found her way to the Catholic Church. Later she founded the Catholic Worker Newspaper, which started a movement that created jobs and cared for those in need. Dorothy saw those who were often overlooked and advocated for them.
“In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.” -Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein is famous for creating new realms in the world of science. Einstein was faced every day with the challenge of seeing the world in a bigger and more complicated way than others, and his ideas were often disregarded. He found beauty in the madness of science and created lasting change in the world.
“Our shared values define us more than our differences. And acknowledging those shared values can see us through our challenges today if we have the wisdom to trust in them again.” - John McCain
As a prisoner of war (POW) for over 5 years, John overcame immense adversity and torture. After returning as a POW he continued to serve his country faithfully. John was willing to work with those that might not be aligned with him politically which showed the world the importance of working with others for the greater good.
“I've had to learn to fight all my life - got to learn to keep smiling. If you smile things will work out.” -Serena Williams
Serena Williams is now a household name, a tennis superstar, winning 23 major singles titles. Serena and her sister, Venus, broke countless barriers by being among the first women of color to achieve championship titles in tennis. Serena just won a championship in January 2020, coming back from pregnancy to continue to compete at the highest level. The continual impact Serena has had on women and people of color in tennis is evident as we see the sport of tennis grow in diversity.
“It costs you something to do good!” -Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neal Hurston knows what fighting through adversity is like. All four of Zora’s grandparents were born into slavery. Her father was a baptist preacher and sharecropper. Zora attended Howard University and was one of the first initiates of Zeta Phi Beta, a sorority founded by and for black women. Inducted for her transformative writing into the Women’s National Hall of Fame, Zora is considered often the inspiration of future writer Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and Toni Morrison. We learn from Zora the impact one person can have on the future. Had she not paved the way and shared her experiences and gifts with us, despite her hardship, we would not only be missing her story, but the stories of so many others inspired by her.
About the Author
Hope Kadlecek is a recent Ohio to Denver transplant spending copious amounts of time hiking and discovering new coffee shops. Lover of all forms of potatoes, passionate about chaco tans and thrift shopping. Hope is working towards building a career built around making sure all people matter.