Great Women: Great Quotes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Elizabeth Taylor

Iconic Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) made this memorable quip in a 1981 interview with "The Times" of London. Reflecting on her early career, Taylor humorously noted the influence of her four-legged co-stars in films such as "Lassie Come Home" (1943) and "National Velvet" (1944). The former featured a determined collie (who, fun fact, was actually a male dog called Pal), while the latter showed her alongside a brave horse competing in the Grand National steeplechase.

Her comment, "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses", was not only a playful reference to her early roles, but also underlined her lifelong love of animals. The remark was quickly picked up by "The Observer" in its "Sayings of the Week" column and continued to appear in quote collections, including "Picking on Men: The First Honest Collection of Quotations about Men" by Judy Allen in 1985.

While she went on to star alongside Hollywood greats such as Richard Burton, Paul Newman and James Dean, her early co-stars remained a unique part of her storied career. This witty observation even earned her a spot on a 2013 list of the funniest insults in history, proving that her humour was as timeless as her talent.

Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was an American politician, diplomat and activist who transformed the role of First Lady from a traditional domestic position to a platform for social change. As the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was an influential voice in his administration, championing civil rights, women's rights, and the rights of workers and the poor.

Her quote "Do one thing every day that scares you" came from her 1960 book "You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys to a Fulfilled Life". In this work, she shared lessons from her own experiences, encouraging readers to embrace challenges, push boundaries and grow through discomfort. This mantra of facing fears resonated with her own life, as she often stepped out of her comfort zone - whether it was speaking publicly, advocating for controversial causes or travelling extensively to support soldiers during World War II.

Beyond her inspirational words, she left a lasting legacy through her work with the United Nations. As chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, she played a central role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that continues to influence international human rights to this day.

Answer: Queen Victoria

This quote is attributed to Queen Victoria (1819-1901), who reigned over the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death, making her the second longest reigning monarch in British history. Her reign, known as the Victorian era, was marked by industrial, cultural and scientific progress and the expansion of the British Empire.

The quote "We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat" is said to have been uttered during the Crimean War (1853-1856), when British, French and Ottoman forces fought against the Russian Empire. At a time when the war was difficult and public morale low, Queen Victoria's words conveyed her unwavering resolve and determination. Her steadfastness not only lifted the spirits of the military leaders, but also reflected the Victorian values of endurance and strength.

Throughout her reign, Queen Victoria maintained a careful balance between authority and compassion. She modernised the monarchy by becoming more personally involved with her subjects, especially after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. Although her influence on politics was limited by constitutional constraints, her views often shaped policy through her correspondence with prime ministers.

Her legacy is still felt today. The Victorian era had a lasting impact on architecture, literature and culture, and the name "Victorian" continues to evoke a sense of tradition and endurance. Her quote about rejecting the possibility of defeat embodies the spirit of an empire that once covered nearly a quarter of the globe.

Answer: Golda Meir

This sharp and witty quote is attributed to Golda Meir (1898-1978), who served as Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974. Meir was Israel's first female Prime Minister and was known for her straightforward and no-nonsense approach to politics and leadership.

The quote "Don't be humble: you're not that great" perfectly captures Meir's blend of humour and practicality. It is often taken as a reminder not to feign humility or underestimate oneself, while still maintaining perspective. This kind of frankness was typical of Meir, who led Israel through difficult times, including the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

She was born in Kyiv, then part of the Russian Empire (now Kyiv, Ukraine), and immigrated to the USA with her family to escape anti-Semitic persecution. She moved to British mandate Palestine in 1921, where she became a key figure in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. As Prime Minister, she focused on strengthening Israel's security and forging international alliances.

Answer: Anne Frank

Anne Frank was born into a Jewish family in Frankfurt in 1929. As antisemitism grew under the Nazi regime, her family fled to Amsterdam in 1934. When Germany occupied the Netherlands in 1940, the Franks and four others went into hiding in a secret annex behind her father's shop on 6 July 1942. During this time, Anne documented her thoughts, fears and hopes in a diary she called "Kitty".

Her writings offer a vivid, poignant, and often surprisingly optimistic insight into life under oppression. She wrote about the daily struggles of living in hiding, the complexity of human relationships, and her dreams of becoming a writer. Tragically, the group was betrayed in August 1944, and Anne was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp and later to Bergen-Belsen, where she died of typhus in early 1945 at just 15 years old.

Her father, Otto Frank, the only survivor of the annex, discovered Anne's diary and arranged for its publication. The "Diary of a Young Girl" was first published in 1947 and has since been translated into over 70 languages, making Anne Frank one of the most well-known victims of the Holocaust. The building where the family hid is now the Anne Frank House, a museum that attracts over a million visitors a year.

Answer: Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) was a French writer, philosopher and, alongside her lifelong partner Jean-Paul Sartre, a key figure in the existentialist movement. She is best known for her seminal work "The Second Sex" ("Le Deuxième Sexe"), published in 1949. The book is widely regarded as one of the most important texts in feminist literature and philosophy.

In this book de Beauvoir examines the historical, social and psychological constructs surrounding women's roles and identities. Her assertion that "one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman" challenges the notion that gender roles are natural or biologically determined. Instead, she argues that society shapes women into certain roles, often limiting their freedom and potential.

The book caused controversy and was even banned by the Vatican, but it also inspired generations of feminists and intellectuals. Her ideas helped lay the groundwork for second-wave feminism, which focused on issues such as workplace equality, reproductive rights and gender roles. Her influence extends far beyond feminist theory, contributing to broader discussions of freedom, ethics, and human existence.

Answer: Lily Tomlin

While comedian Lily Tomlin (born 1939) is widely associated with the quip "The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat", the origins of the quip date back to at least the 1950s. The earliest known use of a similar phrase appears in "The Golden Ham: A Candid Biography of Jackie Gleason", published in 1956. In a letter to his estranged wife, legendary comedian Jackie Gleason wrote: "Television is a rat race, and remember, even if you win, you are still a rat."

Shortly afterwards, sports columnist Bill Cunningham used a version of the quote in a piece for the "Boston Herald", attributing it to an anonymous "fellow". The phrase continued to circulate throughout the 1960s, appearing in works by Yale chaplain and political activist William Sloane Coffin Jr. and humour columnist Russell Baker. Both cited the line as a piece of generational wisdom from young people who rejected the pressure to conform to their parents' lifestyles.

In the 1970s, Lily Tomlin incorporated the quip into her comedy routines, helping to popularise it. Known for her sharp wit and incisive social commentary, her delivery gave the line a fresh and memorable twist. When interviewed by "People" magazine in 1977, she was quoted as saying, "The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat." The quote stuck because of her comedic style, which often combined humour with deeper truths about society and human behaviour.

Despite her strong association with the quote, evidence suggests that she did not coin it. Nevertheless, her role in popularising it shows how a well-delivered joke can become part of the cultural lexicon, even if its true origins remain a bit of a mystery.

Answer: Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) was an American aviator whose achievements shattered gender barriers and inspired generations. She became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, a daring feat that earned her international fame and the Distinguished Flying Cross. She was also a best-selling author and a staunch advocate for women's rights, encouraging women to pursue their dreams in aviation and beyond.

The quote, "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity", comes from her 1932 book "The Fun of It". The book offered a glimpse into her passion for flying, as well as advice for aspiring pilots. The quote reflects Earhart's philosophy of action and perseverance, emphasizing that taking the first step is often the hardest part of achieving one's goals.

Her adventurous spirit led her to attempt a bold round-the-world flight in 1937. Tragically, she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Despite extensive search efforts, neither she nor her plane was ever found, sparking numerous theories and ongoing intrigue.

Answer: Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, best known for her role in the Montgomery bus boycott. On 1 December 1955, she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of defiance was not planned as a political protest, but rather as a personal decision. She later explained that she was simply tired of giving in to segregation.

The quote, "I've learned over the years that when you make up your mind, it diminishes the fear", is from her autobiography "Quiet Strength" (1994). In the book, Parks reflects on her life, offering insights into her experiences and the beliefs that guided her actions throughout her journey in the civil rights movement. The quote underscores her belief that fear is diminished when one is certain that one is doing the right thing.

Her refusal to stand that day became a catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which ultimately led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

Answer: Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel (1883-1971), born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was a French fashion designer who revolutionised the way women dressed in the early 20th century. Her design philosophy emphasised simplicity, comfort and elegance over the opulence that had dominated women's fashion in previous generations. Her designs, such as the Chanel Suit and the Little Black Dress, challenged traditional fashion conventions and revolutionised women's clothing.

The quote "The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud" reflects her belief in personal freedom and individuality. She valued self-expression and believed that the most courageous act a person could take was to think for themselves and speak their mind without fear. This quote is from a 1971 interview with "Harper's Bazaar".