"The best thing about self-defense is knowing there is a self worth defending." Ms. Steinem believed strongly that physical empowerment work does more than teach protection; it builds internal value. Learning self-defense reinforces personal boundaries and mental resilience. Steinem believed that learning and believing in your own self-worth is a necessary step -- to be validated and feel complete as your own person. And even though the famous feminist slogan "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" was often attributed to Ms. Steinem (it was actually said by feminist Irina Dunn), it did sum up exactly this sentiment. Did you think this quote was said by Ms. Steinem?

"The art of life is not controlling what happens to us, but using what happens to us."‬ As much as she was fighting for equal rights, she also believed that it would not be an easy road to travel, given the years and years of the status quo. The important thing to remember, she urged was to not let your failures or setbacks slow you down or stop you. Bad things happen and you can't change that. True wisdom comes from deciding how to use those experiences to grow, heal, or help others. Do you think this is a very wise approach to life in general?

"We are the women our parents warned us against, and we are proud." Finally, my favourite of her many quotes. Traditional and patriarchal cultures often teach girls to be accommodating and obedient to preserve the status quo. When women stand up for equal rights, autonomy, and power, they frighten traditional structures. Steinem's quote embraces this disruption as a necessary and joyful victory for freedom. She was an unstoppable visionary who demanded an equal role for females in a male dominated world and worked tirelessly, for decades, to bring that change about. Some of you may not know, but she played a major role in the movement that secured women the right to get credit cards, open bank accounts and secure mortgages in their own name, without a male co-signer. She fought for a world where gender didn't determine your self worth, your opportunities or your happiness. Do you admire all that Ms. Steinem has done for equal rights?