Best Feminist Quotes by Emma Watson

I’m a diehard Emma Watson fan ever since she starred in the Harry Potter film franchise as Hermione Granger, who was voted the best female Hollywood character of all time. Not only is she a stunning model and actress, Emma is also a major feminist and activist who never puts her guard down when it comes to equal rights. She’s also been appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador and helped the launched of UN Women campaign HeForShe, which calls for men to advocate gender equality.

She's definitely done a lot throughout her life so far and she's nowhere near slowing down. She's made speeches in front of thousands of people, helped run campaigns, and even started a feminist Goodreads book club called Our Shared Shelf. As a strong feminist, her words about gender inequality are truly powerful and have awoken many ignorant people out there in the world. These are the absolute best feminist quotes by Emma Watson that will open your mind.

"We want to try to galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change."

Emma mentioned this during her speech on gender equality during the UN Women campaign HeForShe. It was actually one of the opening remarks of her speech and it destroyed all of the assumptions of her becoming another angry feminist ranting about equality. This one statement grabbed the audience's ears and they were eager to listen to what Emma had to say.

Emma mentions how she yearns to shock all men by showing the power of women trying to make a change in gender equality. The whole point of women's rights movement is to gather as many people as possible to make a change.

"When at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams, because they didn’t want to appear muscle-y, when at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings, I decided that I was a feminist."

This is easily one of the best feminist quotes by Emma Watson because this was when she decided that she's a feminist. She noticed the pressure that women were feeling to be “feminine” and men to feel “masculine.” She didn’t agree with these gender stereotypes.

Even to this day, so many people feel like they have to fit in with the stereotypes of their gender. Women want to look pretty and refuse to be involved in masculine activities. Men focus on being buff and try to be the bigger man. Stereotypes are can destroy the person's identity by making them who they're not.

"But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists."

So many people believe that when someone is a feminist, that person is a man-hater. Women choose not to speak up and show themselves as feminist because of how hated the word is. She knows why the feminism movement is seen as a joke by some.

In fact, feminism by definition means the advocacy for gender equality. It doesn't involve "man-haters" because there are so many men out there who consider themselves as feminists, too. It wouldn't make sense for men to follow a movement that went against their own gender!

"In my nervousness for this speech and my moments of doubt, I’ve told myself firmly, ‘If not me, who? If not now, when?’"

Just like many of the inspirational people out there, Emma believed that she would be the one to make a change in gender equality. She's truly passionate about her beliefs and strives to open everyone's eyes in a world dominated by men. This is one of the best feminist quotes by Emma Watson because she mentions that she's the one who needs to make the change.

Many inspirational individuals like Emma try to make an effort and change the world view on a certain subject. In this case, Emma had experience and knew what she needed to do and say in order to work towards gender equality.

"How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?"

This is one of the most powerful feminist quotes by Emma Watson because it perfectly describes what the HeForShe campaign is all about. The campaign is based on making men feel comfortable in standing up and identifying themselves as feminist.

Emma even pointed out how she saw a few men at a feminism rally and stated that it was the best way to extend a hand on both sexes in order to help the issue. Feminism isn't just made up of women, but all genders who are helping each other and fighting to gain gender equality.

"I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop."

Since many people view feminism to be a man-hating movement, a handful of people view Emma to be someone who hates the male gender. She clearly says that's not what feminists are, but people who are trying to make a change in the community and get equal rights. The key to gender equality is women empowering women, not hating men.

Emma is focused on demolishing the false definition of a feminist. There is no hate involved but the passion, strive, and belief of changing the world and becoming a united gender that possess the same rights.

"We need more of those and if you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It’s the idea and the ambition behind it."

Many people hate on the word feminist so much but they don't fully understand the meaning of it. It's the strive to gain equal rights that's behind the word "feminism."

This is one of the most striking feminist quotes by Emma Watson because she tells everyone that people are so against a word that they don't fully know the meaning of. People immediately assume that being a feminist is being a man-hater. If there's really something to hate on, it's not the false definition of the word, but the real ambition and passion that's behind it.

"We are struggling for a uniting word, but the good news is that we have a uniting movement."

Even though the word feminist doesn't sound as united to some people, Emma mentions that the movement is certainly uniting. Many people find feminism to be an isolating word because of its negative connotation. Emma is aware that being a feminist can separate you from people who think negatively towards the word.

She then shows that the idea and movement behind the word is what brings everyone together. Certain people don't like to consider themselves as a feminist but agree with the ambition behind it.

"It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, not as two opposing sets of ideals.”

This is among the best feminist quotes by Emma Watson because she basically compared and contrasted the major different gender stereotypes that continue to keep both men and women feel unequal; the stereotypes that made men feel pressure to be aggressive and women to be submissive. She wants to show that gender isn’t based on stereotypes and doesn't dictate how one should behave.

Everyone has a different personality, behavior, and viewpoint. Your gender doesn't define who you are and guide you into how you should act.

"The saddest thing for a girl to do is to dumb herself down for a guy."

Lastly, we can all relate to this one which is known to be one of the best feminist quotes by Emma Watson because it tells all girls what they should definitely not do for a guy. She states that it's 100 percent not worth dumbing down for a guy to like you.

When you do this for a man, you're ruining your reputation of being a great, smart person. Impress guys with your intelligence and simply be yourself!