9 Motivational Books for Women by Iconic Women

This list of motivational books for women by inspiring women will motivate you to change your life, find your voice, and keep advocating for change.

The authors of these books have built empires, changed the course of history, and impacted culture through fashion, trends, and more. By reading these books, you can gain invaluable insights from the most inspiring women today and in history. From former first ladies to female activists and young women advocating for financial feminism – we can learn how to live our lives and impact those around us.

Let’s dive into the best motivational books for women and their words of wisdom.

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The 10 Best Motivational Books for Women

1. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Goodreads rating: 4.06

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of some of the most groundbreaking shows on TV today, including Grey’s Anatomy. You would never have expected her to be an introvert but she she is, and upon taking up a challenge to say yes to everything for a year, it changed her life. By the end of this book, you might even be compelled to say yes more – who knows what extraordinary path it could take you on. 

“I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard. Don’t call me lucky. Call me a badass.”

2. The Moment of Lift by Melinda French Gates 

Goodreads rating: 4.28

This book was born out of a profound observation by philanthropist Melinda French Gates – if we want to lift society, we need to stop putting women down. By drawing on stories from inspiring people and her own story of finding her voice, she inspires us to change the world and ourselves. 

“If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings.”

3. Becoming by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is a woman of many feats – the first lady of color in the white house, a huge advocate for women and girls around the world, and revered for creating the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history while raising two down-to-earth daughters. In one of the most motivational books for women, he shares the experiences that have shaped her with wit and honesty. Her story will inspire you to defy expectations and become a woman of true substance. 

“Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child—What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end.”

4. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

Goodreads Rating: 4.07

Social activist, writer, lecturer, feminist organizer, and transformational leader shares her journey as an avid traveler and campaigner, and the exceptional women she has met along the way. Her road was messy and full of detours like life. She uncovers her fight for equality for women in India, her political campaigns, and her time as a journalist. A lifetime on the road has taught her a lot about life and people – she encourages us to adopt an “open road” state of mind where we listen, learn, and try to understand above all else.

“You’re always the person you were when you were born,” she says impatiently. “You just keep finding new ways to express it.”

5. Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke

Goodreads rating: 4.58

Founder of the #MeToo, a social movement and awareness that inspired women to share their stories of sexual abuse, harassment, and rape, Tarana Burke shares her own story. From being a broken, guilt-ridden sexually abused, and vile girl to an empowered victim. She explores how she healed her fractured self through the community and the young black girls she came to care deeply for. Through these young women, Tarana found that we can only offer empathy to others if we first offer it to ourselves.

“Maybe community creates courage. What if courage creates community? Maybe empathy creates courage. How can you express empathy towards others if you can’t empathize with your own self? Is the core of healing empathy and courage?”

6. Anna: The Biography by Amy Odell

Goodreads rating: 3.78

As a child, Anna Wintour was a tomboy with no apparent interest in clothing but soon became seduced by London’s fashion scene in the 1960s to become fashion-obsessed. This is the story of an ambitious woman who set her sights on becoming the editor-in-chief of Vogue, and nothing stood in her way. She found work at magazines and soon found herself on the way to New York – more determined than ever.

This is one of the best motivational books for women that explores female ambition, and how Anna rises to dominate all of Condé Nast. Amy Odell interviews friends, colleagues, and big names in fashion to give a compelling and personal story of an iconic woman and what it takes to get to the top.

“Anyone who believed she had gotten to where she was by sleeping with her boss “is still living in the era when a woman could only make it to the top by pleasing a man.”

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7. That’s What She Said by Kimothy Joy

Goodreads rating: 4.27

In this book, Kimothy Joy captures the messages and essence of more than fifty influential female leaders through watercolors and their powerful words. Her book is an attribute to iconic women, a reminder to never stop fighting for equality, and a great source of motivation for all women today. 

“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face.” – Helen Keller

8. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

Goodreads Rating: 4.15

This book is a memoir by the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and one of the most motivational books for women. When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Malala refused to be silenced and fought for her right to education as a woman. Later, she was shot in the head at point-blank while riding the bus home from school. Miraculously, she survived. Her heroic story is about a young girl who fought for her education and a family who supported her and championed her against a backdrop of terrorism, violence, and misogyny.

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”

9. Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap

Goodreads Rating: 4.09

Young female entrepreneur and feminist, Tori Dunlap wants to help women achieve financial freedom. What if money didn’t mean restrictions but freedom? Freedom to follow your passion, quit a job you hate, or retire early. In Tori’s book, she offers a practical approach to money, from mindful spending and investing so you are freed by money, not trapped by it.  Tori’s book is one of the best motivational books for young women who want financial confidence and independence.

“Women could not have a credit card in their own name without a male cosigner until 1974. Women couldn’t get a business loan without a male cosigner until fourteen years later. And even now, in the twenty-first century, men make the majority of the wealth-building financial decisions in heteronormative relationships.”

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The Inspiring Women Changing The World With Their Words

Image credit Melinda French Gates: Chatham House Prize 2014 under CC BY 2.0.

These inspirational books for women have been written by some of the most inspiring and prominent women today and in history.

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Lynn Rhimes, CBE is an American television producer screenwriter, and founder of the production company, Shondaland.

Melinda French Gates 

American philanthropist, businesswoman, and a former multimedia product developer and manager at Microsoft. 

Michelle Obama

Former first lady, attorney, mother, author, and one of the best female motivational speakers.

Gloria Steinem

American feminist, journalist, and social activist, Gloria Steinem was a leading figure in the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and ‘70s, and founder of Ms. Magazine. She continues to advocate for gender equality to this day.

Tarana Burke

American activist and the founder of the #MeToo movement that helped thousands of women stand up for themselves.

Anna Wintour

 Regarded as one of the most influential people in fashion, Anna Wintour is a British-American media executive, who has been serving as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988. Her biography was written by Amy Odell an author, journalist, and media consultant.

Kimothy Joy

Kimothy Joy is an artist and author who combines whimsical watercolor and hand-lettered artwork to uplift and inspire women worldwide.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala is the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize after being shot by the Taliban after publically speaking up about a girl’s right to education in Pakistan. She established the Malala Fund, a charity dedicated to giving every girl an opportunity to achieve the future she chooses.

Tori Dunlap

Young female entrepreneur, businesswoman, and financial expert who has a financial education company for women.

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What to Read Next?

The women have written books that will inspire you – whether you are an ambitious woman with a big goal, a female entrepreneur trying to solve some of the most prominent social issues today, or you want to learn more about an iconic woman who shaped history. These motivational books for women will inspire you to try to understand more, be more, and find your female voice.