Look at any major campaign-whether it’s the ongoing battle for racial justice or the demand for visibility and equity for members of the LGBTQIA+ community-and you’ll find that the key to taking an informed, powerful stance is understanding the history of the movement. Their words inspire us, lend a bit of courage when needed, and offer insight into what it really means to fight for gender equality. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite quotes on feminism from the foremost thinkers, speakers, writers, and activists, from both contemporary voices and those who paved the way. While many rights for women have already been won, there is no equality to speak of until all social, economic, and racial injustices have been vanquished. Feminism that is intersectional and inclusive is more important than ever, with activists amplifying the voices of women whose struggles are compounded further by their race, identity, and class.

From the suffragettes of the 18th and 19th centuries to the #MeToo activists and glass-ceiling breakers still fighting for equality today, the feminist movement has evolved around the world for hundreds of years.