‘Self-partnered’ Emma Watson’s most refreshing quotes about relationships, feminism and womanhood

Back in 2011 a seemingly shy Emma Watson made her magical debut as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, and went on to capture the hearts of not only Hogwarts, but Harry Potter fans the world over.

We’re now nine years PP (Post Potter) and as she celebrates her 30th birthday, today (April 15), Emma Watson has become so much more than the magical student who wowed us with her potion knowledge.

Now a powerful women’s rights activist, Watson also advocates for feminism, gender equality, and a right to education.

In 2014 she was appointed as one of UN’ s goodwill ambassadors, going on to make an epic speech on gender equality on 20 September as part of the HeForShe campaign, which has been watched more than 7million times on YouTube.

No wonder, therefore that Time named her one of the most influential people in the world in 2015.

There’s no denying Emma Watson is pretty awesome, so how better to celebrate her awesomeness than by gathering together some of the most inspirational things she’s said. Because let’s face it she has said some pretty great stuff.

From that unforgettable quote about ‘self-partnering’ to offering encouragement to women the world over to follow their dreams, she may no longer be Hermione Grainger but she still has some pretty magical things to say.

Emma Watson on ‘wanting to do everything’
“I want to be a Renaissance woman. I want to paint, and I want to write, and I want to act, and I want to just do everything.” – (Time, 2010)

Emma Watson on equality
“I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality.” – (UN HeForShe campaign launch speech, 2014)