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Eleanor Roosevelt

First Lady of the United States 1933–1945; United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly 1945–1952; Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights 1946–1951

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.

You Learn by Living (1960), Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project, The George Washington University, 1960 source ↗

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Megan Rapinoe United States international footballer, 2006–2023
Even more simply, you can ask yourself this question: "Do I truly care about equality for all people in this country?" If the answer is yes, then demand to be a better, more educated, more empathetic version of yourself. And demand the same of every single person you know.
Recorded First-person essay, The Players' Tribune, 6 October 2016 source ↗
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Novelist and essayist
All over the world, girls are raised to be make themselves likeable, to twist themselves into shapes that suit other people. Please do not twist yourself into shapes to please. Don’t do it. If someone likes that version of you, that version of you that is false and holds back, then they actually just like that twisted shape, and not you.
Recorded Wellesley College 137th Commencement, 29 May 2015 source ↗
Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988–1990 and 1993–1996
I’d tell them, “If you believe in something, go for it, but know that when you go for it there’s a price to be paid. Be ready to pay that price and you can contribute to the welfare of society, and society will acknowledge you and respect you for it. And don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.”
Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 27 October 2000 source ↗
David Vélez Co-founder and chief executive of Nubank
Primero, lanzarse, incluso sin tener todas las respuestas. Segundo, tener resiliencia y disciplina, porque los mercados son volátiles. Tercero, buscar grandes problemas del consumidor. Muchas oportunidades nacen de la frustración.
Recorded Alejandra Rico Muñoz, interview, La República, 25 March 2026 source ↗

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Question Which virtue do you think people overrate? Values & belief
Tolerance ought only to be a preliminary step which allows us to get to know other people, and which prevents us from setting up bars, just because they may be of a different race or religion. The real value of any relationship is the fact that we learn to like people in spite of our differences.
Recorded 'My Day' syndicated newspaper column, Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project, The George Washington University, 24 November 1943 source ↗
Question What does everyone in your world seem to agree on that you think is wrong? Values & belief
Our trouble is that we do not demand enough of the people who represent us. We are responsible for their activities… we must spur them to more imagination and enterprise in making a push into the unknown; we must make clear that we intend to have responsible and courageous leadership.
Recorded Tomorrow is Now, published posthumously, Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project, The George Washington University, 1963 source ↗

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