Hope Jahren Quotes

I wouldn't want them to feel lonely or outcast ever in any way. And no matter where they were in the world, I'd want them to always feel incredibly confident about who they were and proud.

My perspective comes in part from being a New York black lady, in part from being an engineer. I know I'm smart and have opinions worth being heard.

I feel the same way about Shondaland I feel about Africa and Greece. I feel pretty in both places. Men look at me like I'm a novelty, and women think I'm just cool. I feel absolutely at home immediately. I'm not altering myself to fit in. I'm walking in just as I am. And there are open arms stretched out to greet me.

There is power in seeing a face that looks like yours do something, be someone. There is power in moving from the sidelines to the center.

To hang out in a gay bar or put on a sequined halter top makes me feel like a total person.

If you don't believe you don't belong.

I don't want anyone to ever say that I don't belong where I am.

I want my kids to be curious, to be interested in a lot of things, to be confident, and to feel they belong in any number of situations.

When I was in school, I got there on the first day and everyone had long, blonde, straight hair, and I had short, dark, curly hair. I immediately felt I didn't fit in and started growing my hair. But I've learned that I'm only happy when I am truly me and feel comfortable and confident in myself.

I've never felt as though I didn't belong, I just acted as though I did.

I always feel like one of the guys and very unintimidated.

I know what it's like to turn the page of a magazine and not see anyone like you. It takes a lot, a lot, a lot of talking to yourself to confirm your self-worth.

Getting up and having the courage to share with people, all people, and even just being asked to sing, first of all, that's all part of how I express my identity.

I'm proud of my colour, I'm proud of my skin, I'm proud of who I am.

It's important to read books and see people who look like you. It helps you know that you are not the only one or the weird one because you're a black girl and you are not seeing anyone who looks like you in these books.

When I was younger, I didn't have that type of person that I could look up to and be like, 'OK, this is someone who dresses like me and I relate to.' I didn't have that growing up, so to give that opportunity to a younger generation of women - and not just Somali women, but anyone who feels different - that means a lot to me.

There's something to be said about seeing your face represented. There's just something really important about that. It just draws you in more.

If you happen to be in an environment where people are not accepting of who you are, you just need to know that's not always the way it will be.

I can't pull back. I'm 6 foot 3, I'm tall, and I'm gay. I light up the room.

Everybody is different; as long as you look like you belong and you can fit in, the world is you oyster now.

I played with a band, and the lead singer would always introduce me as 'the 13-year-old lead guitarist.' I didn't want to be a novelty, like 'Oh, she has three arms! Check her out.' But I've learned to accept it as more of a compliment.

There's room for everyone, and everyone is wanted and needed. Whoopi showed me that. When I first saw 'The Color Purple,' it was so huge. That was the first time I had seen myself, my mother, my aunts, women that I had known my whole life on-screen. It gives us hope, and it gives us confidence.

Girls need to see somebody that looks like them talking about science and technology.

I have no doubt in mind that I justify the space I take up in the world.

I'm passionate about speaking out against bullying and speaking up for self-awareness with young people and body-image issues and self-esteem issues.