Coretta Scott King at the temporary Martin Luther King Center, 1975. AJC file

International Women’s Day: 7 inspiring quotes from prominent Atlanta women 

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Atlanta has served as a hub for the creative and business-minded for decades, but for International Women’s Day we’re highlighting a specific portion of that group. 

» RELATED: What is International Women’s Day?

Seek inspiration in a few former and current Atlanta residents with quotes from Janelle Monae, Sara Blakely and other activists, businesswomen and entertainers: 

Coretta Scott King is seen at her home in Atlanta, Ga., in May 28, 1968, one month after the assassination of her husband. She devoted her life to enshrining his legacy of human rights and equality (AP Photo).

“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.” - Coretta Scott King, civil rights activist

» RELATED: Celebrate International Women’s Day at these events and women-owned restaurants

Flannery O’Connor in the driveway at Andalusia, 1962. AJC FILE
Photo: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”- Flannery O’Connor, author

» RELATED: FLASHBACK PHOTOS: A photographic look at women's history in Georgia

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (served 2010-2011): After leaving office in 2010, Franklin served in the Cosby chair until June 2011. (KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC file)
Photo: Kent D. Johnson

“If you care about an issue, you have to organize. You have to register to vote. You have to be engaged and you have to be consistent and not give up.” - Shirley Franklin, former Mayor of Atlanta

» RELATED: National Women's History Month: What is it, when did it begin

The director of “Hidden Figures” said Janelle Monae had the fire of the woman she portrayed in the movie. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
Photo: Associated Press

“Continue to embrace the things that make you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.” - Janelle Monae, entertainer

Rounding out the list of Georgia billionaires is Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. Forbes ranks Blakely No. 1741, with a net worth of $1.1 billion.
Photo: Forbes

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” - Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx

» RELATED: Google celebrates International Women's Day with interactive doodle

Xernona Clayton speaks while Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl participants from Alabama and Washington football teams tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and hear first-hand accounts from civil rights leaders at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, in Atlanta.
Photo: ccompton@ajc.com/ccompton@ajc.com

“We’re not where we want to be. It might not change tonight. It might not change tomorrow. Tomorrow may be another day. We’re going to keep inspiring. We’re going to keep educating. We’ve got to keep fueling the fire with the burning desire to do better.”  - Xernona Clayton, civil rights activist and broadcaster

In an old photograph, Margaret Mitchell (center) shares a laugh with two associates from her newspaper days, Lambdin Kay, former manager of WSB radio (at left), and John Paschall, editor emeritus of the Atlanta Journal, at the Atlanta Pulitzer Prize Dinner in May 1937. This photograph was shown at “The Lost ‘Gone With the Wind’ Manuscript” exhibit at the Atlanta History Center on May 25, 2011. CONTRIBUTED BY JASON GETZ
Photo: Jason Getz

“Life’s under no obligation to give us what we expect. We take what we get and are thankful it’s no worse than it is.” - Margaret Mitchell, author

What You Need To Know: International Women’s Day
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