Quotes for Nasty Women

Nasty women, unite—and read this compendium of fascinating quotations about powerful women through history.

“My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today. I knew it then as purpose.” —Bette Davis

When Donald Trump referred to Hillary Clinton as “such a nasty woman” during the last presidential debate in 2016, women everywhere felt a jolt of recognition—whatever their politics or feelings about Clinton. In response, they promptly turned his insult into an empowering slogan. This book celebrates the now-ironic phrase with a collection of quotations by and about strong women, both critical and positive. The words come from figures in ancient history like Cleopatra; founding mothers like Mary Wollstonecraft and Elizabeth Cady Stanton; feminist icons such as Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan; politicians and government leaders; groundbreakers in arts and culture; celebrities; and the mothers, daughters, and sisters at home.