No one is immune from adversity. Epic fails happen to all of us. When you find yourself at the lowest of lows, it can be easy to forget how beautiful, capable, and utterly magical you are.

But with a bit of perspective and strategic management, you can finesse your toughest moments into your greatest breakthroughs. You come from a legacy of remarkable black women who have consistently proven that, no matter what you’re up against, success is always on the other side. In recognition of that, here are 7 moving quotes from black women to inspire your inner slayage:

1. Viola Davis: "As Black women, we're always given these seemingly devastating experiences—experiences that could absolutely break us. But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly. What we do as Black women is take the worst situations and create from that point."

2. Issa Rae: “I thrive on obstacles. If I'm told that it can't be told, then I push harder.”

3. Shonda Rhimes: “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.”

4. Kerry Washington: When you have things that are very important to you in life, when there are things you want to do and be – that takes work. It takes work to show up for your own story and show up for the dream and vision you have for yourself.”

5. Gabourey Sibide: “I certainly used to wish that I was skinny, lighter-skinned, with long, pretty hair. But only because I used to get made fun of for being the absolute opposite. I didn't see all of that stuff as the American Dream. I just wanted to look normal. Now that I'm older, I really do feel like I am a beautiful girl.”

 

6. Tamron Hall: “We all have these challenges and stereotypes that exist, but you can't let that hold you down … If that's the first thing you think about as a black woman – the challenge that lies ahead – you are thinking in the wrong direction, in my opinion.”

7. Roxane Gay: “I have a job I'm pretty good at. I am in charge of things. I am on committees. People respect me and take my counsel. I want to be strong and professional, but I resent how hard I have to work to be taken seriously, to receive a fraction of the consideration I might otherwise receive.”

Kudos to these phenomenal black women who annihilate glass ceilings, eclipse expectations, and remind us what it takes to slay!

Brought to you by P&G, My Black is Beautiful.