I have me brave women who are exploring the outer edge of human possibility, with no history to guide them, and with a courage to make themselves vulnerable that I find moving beyond words.
Gloria SteinemRead
But somewhere within each of us, buried at varying depths depending on the age and degree of neglect or abuse, shame or coercion we endured, there is a resistant, daydreaming, rebellious, creative, unique child -- a true self who is waiting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the hidden, authentic self within each person, shaped by their experiences and traumas.
In this quote, Gloria Steinem highlights the idea that everyone carries within them a 'true self'—a childlike essence that remains resilient despite the challenges, shame, and coercion they may face throughout their lives. This part of us is often buried under layers of societal expectations and personal experiences, but it is fundamentally creative and unique, waiting to be acknowledged and expressed.
Themes
True SelfCreativityResilienceInner ChildIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance, use this quote to inspire individuals to reconnect with their true selves.
More from Gloria Steinem
All quotes →If women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn't it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?
Gloria SteinemRead
Age brings a freedom. When you're young, you're much more subject to the idea of what feminine is or how you should look or how you should behave.
Gloria SteinemRead
All those chemicals that create empathy only work when you are in a room together.
Gloria SteinemRead
Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.
Gloria SteinemRead
Obviously, there is much similarity among the challenges of transgender people and all women - from health care to harassment to discrimination in the workplace.
Gloria SteinemRead
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