Olympia Dukakis Quotes

Life is more fun when you stop caring what other people think.

I've realised that I am who I am and that is it. Like it or lump it. I'm not around to please anyone any more, and it's a huge relief.

I don't need a man in my life.

African women in general need to know that it's OK for them to be the way they are - to see the way they are as a strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence.

Many women have more power than they recognize, and they're very hesitant to use it, for they fear they won't be loved.

All women are the same, really: They are strong, but they are afraid of their own strength.

To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves - there lies the great, singular power of self-respect.

Eventually you just have to realize that you're living for an audience of one. I'm not here for anyone else's approval.

If I gave a damn what other people think of me, I would be more like other people.

Beauty is what attracts men naturally, but really I think we dress for other women, not necessarily for men. We torture ourselves every single day, and I wish that we wouldn't because we should all just get along, really.

Until I really accepted this about myself and got over any of my own transphobia that I had, I really felt like I wouldn't be accepted. I thought I would ruin my life.

Whatever culture, whatever country, girls are taught to please others as opposed to pleasing themselves.

My mom is such a strong, independent, strong-willed woman, and she always taught me to accept my worth for how I viewed myself and female empowerment, and it's okay to be independent and also need someone at the same time. I kinda get to be both.

A girl's best friend is her pride.

I will never apologize for having a life.

Growing up, I naturally embraced who I was, but I was always battling with myself. So I spent half my time being proud of being a woman and the other half completely hating it.

It's important that, as women, we tell ourselves we are half of the humanity, and unfortunately or fortunately, we rely too much on other people for our validation.

I used to tell myself that I will always be myself.

You don't need a man to make you happy, let's just be clear about that. All right?

The more independent you want to be, the more generous you must be with yourself as a woman.

It took me ages to grow into being a woman, into being happy with it.

If you feel inside you are a woman, be a woman - no one can take that away from you, man. No one can make that feeling go away. If that's what you need to do to be complete, then no one has the right to tell you you can't do that.

I am the boss of me. You can't change anyone else. Women think they can. But you know what? You can't.

I am my own woman.

When who you are naturally is not only considered a sin, but you're reviled for being that human being and you don't have any control over it, there are lots of issues that come into play. And it takes a lot of presence, determination, courage and space to figure out how to land in that truth regardless of what anyone around you thinks about it.