Wise Words From Our Favourite Female Heroines for IWD 2019!

International Women’s Day is almost here, so we’re deep in thought at Bookends HQ about the female heroines that we most look up to. Here is just a taster so that we can all channel these fiesty female characters this IWD!

Ellie

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” – Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is my all-time favourite book. This line from Jane sums up the main reasons why I will always re-read this treasure of a book at least once a year: Jane is fiercely independent and won’t let anyone put her down. She is essentially a badass!

Amy

“I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all some day.” – Jo March, Little Women

Headstrong, independent and fiercely clever, Jo March is one of the most brilliant book characters of all time. Her role in Little Women defied conventional representations of women when it was published, and remains inspiring to this day!  

Hannah

“A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze” – Offred, The Handmaid’s Tale

Every time I re-read (or re-watch) The Handmaid’s Tale I am blown away by some of the incredibly profound remarks made by Offred. I always consider if I was in her situation and my mind boggles at the fact that she can come out with some of these lines. Her strength and resistance are so powerful, and this quote in particular is one of many cases when Offred challenges the reader to consider their world – to think about freedom and what it means to them. I think we should all channel a bit of Offred this IWD!

Vicky

“You had the power all along my dear.” —Glinda the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz

I have always loved this quote from the legendary book and film, The Wizard of Oz. It reminds me that we all have the power and capability to do anything we put our mind to, all it takes is self-belief and faith.