At the time of Alice Cary’s birth in 1820, her home state of Ohio was at the western frontier of the United States. Her father was a pious farmer, known to recite poetry and hymns while working his land. Alice began writing poems herself at a young age and had her first piece published when she was just 18 years old. At age 30, she moved to New York, writing every day and gradually earning herself a place among the creative luminaries of the time. This quote is from a poem titled “Nobility,” which gives us a glimpse into the writer’s passion for justice and social equity, themes that ran through her work for the entirety of her career. 

Former actress Meghan Markle is now best known as the Duchess of Sussex, the wife of British royal Prince Harry, and in this role she has spoken out on behalf of women all over the world. But her fight for gender equality and equal access to education dates back to when she was 11 years old. After seeing a dish soap commercial that showed only women doing housework, she wrote to the company asking that they change their slogan — "women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans" — by replacing the word “women” with “people.” The company obliged, and since that early taste of activism, Markle has given speeches and written essays in support of women’s rights all over the world. With this quote, she reminds anyone who has ever been made to feel inferior that we are all good enough, exactly as we are.

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was the third prime minister of India, as well as the first — and so far, only — woman to hold the position. She served four terms, stepping in and out of the role during the tumultuous period of the mid-20th century. In her life, she fought for India's independence from Britain and rose to become a highly influential leader, though with a complicated legacy. As a powerful figure in government, she was often called upon to host negotiations between reluctant parties. She understood that even when there is animosity, an agreement can be reached if both sides are willing to listen and shake hands. Step one is to unclench the fists; we can only move forward after letting go of anger.