40+ Women's Day Wishes & Quotes for IWD 2023

 

Every day is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate strong, inspirational women: your mom, sister, friend, or another amazing woman who makes the world—and your world—a better place. 

But, sometimes, putting a date on the calendar can nudge you to acknowledge those extraordinary ladies in your life. That's why we love International Women's Day (IWD), which falls on March 8th, 2023. 

Founded in 1909 as a national holiday in the U.S., Women's Day became an international holiday in 1911. For all these years, the holiday has celebrated women for their unique achievements and inherent awesomeness, emphasizing gender equality. 

This year's IWD campaign is called #EmbraceEquity. Its primary focus is on addressing discrimination & challenging stereotypes to create a more equitable world—where all women feel seen and included. 

There’s no better time to share inspiring wishes & quotes with your best friend, sister, daughter, or mama. The best gifts are often kind words—they last longer than most other gifts we can give. International Women's Day quotes will make you feel thankful all over again to know such strong women and have the chance to celebrate them.

In this article, you will find our favorite Women's Day quotes & wishes for the remarkable women in your life. Not surprisingly, we have a special place in our hearts for beautiful greeting cards with thoughtful handwritten messages—but honestly, a beautiful Women's Day card with sincere handwritten words of love can inspire self-love & encourage a loved one to keep shining bright in the world. 

International Women's Day Quotes

Quotes offer inspirational thoughts, even when you're having trouble deciding what to say. So many incredible women have lived, loved, and impacted the world with their presence—and thoughtful words. 

What better way to celebrate than with quotes from some of the world's most inspiring women? We've handpicked the most empowering, funny, and short & sweet quotes for you to share with someone you love on Women's Day this year.

Empowering Women's Day Quotes

Some of our favorite quotes for Women's Day are the empowering ones—from Louisa May Alcott to Maya Angelou to Coco Chanel, and many more incredibly inspiring women. 

These quotes can help you borrow courage from another incredible woman when you need a pep talk in the mirror. They're also great for sharing inside a Stronger Together pop-up card for your best friend, sister, or daughter. You can remind her that she's strong and you've always got her back. 

  1. "Nothing can dim the light which shines from within." ―Maya Angelou

  2. "Every time you state what you want or believe, you're the first to hear it. It's a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don't put a ceiling on yourself." ―Oprah Winfrey

  3. "Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they've got ambition, and they've got talent, as well as just beauty. I'm so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for." ―Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

  4. "A girl should be two things: who and what she wants." ―Coco Chanel, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World's Most Elegant Woman

  5. "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." ―Harriet Tubman

  6. "Well-behaved women seldom make history." ―Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History

  7. "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim." ―Nora Ephron

  8. "You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down." ―Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon

  9. "I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger." ―Serena Williams

  10. "It's okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire." ―Colette Werden

Funny Women's Day Quotes 

For the goofball friends that make your face hurt from laughing so much, we've found some quotes that are just as fun as they are. What better way to celebrate Women's Day than with a laugh together?

Whether you hand-deliver it to a coworker or drop it off at the post office to send to your childhood BFF, a card with a funny quote will make any woman feel special, loved, and remembered on International Women's Day. 

  1. "Embrace who you are. Literally. Hug yourself. Accept who you are." ―Ellen Degeneres

  2. "A woman is like a tea bag: you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." ―Eleanor Roosevelt 

  3. "I prefer the word homemaker because housewife always implies that there may be a wife someplace else." ―Bella Abzug

  4. "Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily this is not difficult." ―Charlotte Whitton

  5. "I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon." ―Ellen Degeneres

  6. "People waste their time pondering whether a glass is half empty or half full. Me, I just drink whatever's in the glass." —Sophia Petrillo, The Golden Girls

Short & Sweet Women's Day Quotes

When you want to keep it short and sweet inside a card with little room for writing, these quotes convey compassion and encouragement without carrying on endlessly. 

We recommend choosing a quote to write on each of these four adorable Girl Power notecards & pass them out like candy this Women's Day. 

  1. "I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all." ―Simone Biles

  2. "Women hold up half the sky." ―Mao Zedong

  3. "There's power in looking silly and not caring that you do." ―Amy Poehler

  4. "Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are." —Beyoncé Knowles

  5. "Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women." —Maya Angelou

  6. "A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform." —Diane Mariechild

  7. "I figure, if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one." —Calamity Jane

  8. "Life is tough, my darling, but so are you." —Stephanie Bennett-Henry

  9. "Where there is a woman, there is magic." —Ntozake Shange

Deliver your short & sweet message inside an adorable garden truck pop-up card or a unique sweetheart pop-up flower bouquet. A thoughtful card & even just a few heartfelt, hopeful words can be a source of joy and motivation for women working hard to do #allthethings on fumes of encouragement. 

International Women's Day Wishes 

Sometimes, you may want to share personal reflections instead of—or in addition to—someone else's quote. In this case, you can write a message to recall a unique moment in your relationship, something special you admire about your mom, sister, BFF, coworker, teacher, or any other woman who sparks sunshine in your life.

We've shared some of our favorite individualized Women's Day messages for the women closest to you. Our best advice: try not to stress over finding the perfect words. A thoughtful pop-up card & heartfelt Women's Day wishes and quotes will show how much you care.

Women's Day Wishes for Mom 

She was the first woman you ever knew, and she's responsible for many of the best parts of you. But life is busy, and you may forget to tell her how much she means to you or how inspiring she is. That's normal! Yet International Women's Day is a reminder on the calendar to tell your Mama how amazing she is. 

So here are some of our favorite Messages to say Happy Women's Day, mom! Send them inside an adorable bicycle pop-up card, a World's Best Mom trophy pop-up card, or a breathtaking dragonfly pop-up card for mom

  1. Happy Women's Day, Mom! Thanks for giving me life and teaching me to live mine to the fullest. You're amazing! 

  2. Thanks for teaching me to be a strong, independent woman—and, most importantly, for showing me how. You're an inspiration, Mom! 

  3. Now that I'm older, I realize that being bossy is a good thing—thanks for setting an example for me. Ha! Love you, Mama! 

  4. Fearless, bold, confident, caring. These are just a few of my favorite qualities about you, Mom! Happy Women's Day. 

  5. To the woman who inspires & amazes me the most, your tenacity and perseverance motivate me to give life my best. Happy International Women's Day to the best woman in the world! 

  6. Thanks for teaching me that girls can have fun AND run the world. I owe much of my success to the examples you've set for me. You're the best woman I know! 

Women's Day Wishes for Sisters

There's no one in life like your sister—or a friend close enough to feel like one. So on International Woman's Day, take the opportunity to remind her she's the best sister on earth.

A beautiful pop-up sunflower bouquet or watering can pop-up card is perfect for sharing one of these sweet messages with your sister. 

  1. You're the most inspiring person I know! Happy Women's Day to the best sister on the planet. 

  2. How can you be so easygoing and such a badass at the same time? You are the fiercest & kindest woman I know. 

  3. As your brother, I feel so lucky to call you my friend. Happy Women's Day, sister! 

  4. You've always been a reassuring presence in my life, but I feel proud to see you shining in the world. You’re amazing!

  5. Thanks for being the best sister ever. Happy Women's Day! 

  6. True love is knowing everything about someone and loving them anyway. Happy Women's Day to the most loving woman I know. Love you, sister! 

Women's Day Wishes for Friends

You want to spread the love to your friends this Women's Day too! Friendship is a safe and wonderful space to share secrets, laugh at jokes, provide encouragement, and enjoy life's journey together. 

Share a Thinking of You pop-up card & bouquet bundle to send a thoughtful note of encouragement, a funny quote, or your expression of gratitude. 

  1. I'm so grateful our friendship has lasted throughout many of life's seasons—happy Women's Day to my dear friend who didn't get away! 

  2. You make the world a better place. I can't imagine my world without you in it. Happy International Women's Day!

  3. Happy Women's Day to my favorite woman! Thanks for sending me the funniest memes, stopping by without telling me first, and always keeping me on my toes. 

  4. Thank you for being a dear friend for many years. The way you live your life is an inspiration to me. Happy Women's Day! 

  5. I honestly couldn't love you any more than I do. There's no one like you, sweet friend. Sending you a hug & lots of love this Women's Day. 

Women's Day Wishes for Anyone 

Besides your mom, sister, and friends, there are many other women you can celebrate & support on Women's Day. You can share a handwritten note, text, or beautiful pop-up card with a neighbor, doctor, teacher, grandma, pastor, coworker, volunteer coordinator, or any woman who inspires you.  

We recommend sending one of these messages along with a Cherry Blossom Bouquet or a Pink Rose Basket Pop-up Card.

  1. Thanks for everything you do for our community. You're a shining example of a woman determined to change the world. Happy Women's Day! 

  2. My life wouldn't be the same without you in it. Thank you for making the world better—and my world better. 

  3. You inspire me to be more generous and take better care of myself at the same time. Thank you for setting a beautifully balanced example in life, motherhood, and womanhood. 

  4. This place can be crazy sometimes, but I enjoy working with you. Thanks for being you and for all you do. Happy Women's Day!

  5. You've been through so much, but you're still shining. You're an inspiration on this Women's Day and every day. 

Words have the power to impact and inspire people. International Women's Day is a beautiful opportunity to speak and write words that make other women feel seen, understood, loved, and supported. We adore how much delight our Lovepop community takes in spreading love to the people around them. 

Uplifting words and greeting cards boost moods all around—for givers & receivers. And on Women's Day, those words can be extra empowering, encouraging, and meaningful. So there's really nothing to lose and only lots of connection and joy to be gained from wishing someone special a Happy International Women's Day and sending the perfect pop-up Women’s Day card too! 

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