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In her new book Pioneers of the Possible, ANGELLA NAZARIAN delves into the lives of women who were pioneers in their chosen fields. Through hardwork, dedication and perserverance each woman reached a level of achievement beyond her wildest imagination and became a symbol of what we’re all capable of doing in our own lives if we commit to getting it done. It doesn’t matter what “it” is or where you start as long as you do something. Some of the women in Pioneers of the Possible you’ve heard of and several you may not know, but all are extraordinary and I’m thrilled that their stories are being told.

The Dancer: Martha Graham
“We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same.”

The Environmentalist: Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize 2004
“The environment and the economy are really two sides of the same coin. You cannot sustain the economy if you don’t take care of the environment because we know that the resources that we use whether it is oil, energy, land … all of these are the basis in which development happens. And development is what we say generates a good economy and puts money in our pockets. If we cannot sustain the environment, we can not sustain ourselves.”

The Philosopher: Simone de Beauvoir
“I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth–and truth rewarded me.”

The Jazz Singer: Ella Fitzgerald
“I guess what everyone wants more than anything is to be loved. And to know that you love me for my singing is too much for me. Forgive me if I don’t have all the words. Maybe I can sing it and you’ll understand.”

The Bullfighter: Conchita Cintrón
“I never had any qualms about bullfighting. A qualm or a cringe before 1,200 pounds of enraged bull would be sure death.”

The Artist: Frida Kahlo
“Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light. Tragedy is the most ridiculous thing.”

The Architect: Zaha Hadid
“In another way, I can be my own worst enemy. As a woman, I’m expected to want everything to be nice, and to be nice myself. A very English thing. But I don’t design nice buildings. I don’t like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality.”

The Entrepreneur: Estee Lauder
“When I thought I couldn’t go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck.”