---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've seen it in so many talented young…"
description: "\"I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back because they're not sure that what they say will be smart enough. Or maybe they've said some..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg"
---

#  I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back…

![“I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back because they're not sure that what they say will be smart enough. Or maybe they've said something in a prior meeting, and people acted like they hadn't said it, and that was crushing. Then we have all had the experience where 20 minutes…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg)

> “I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back because they're not sure that what they say will be smart enough. Or maybe they've said something in a prior meeting, and people acted like they hadn't said it, and that was crushing. Then we have all had the experience where 20 minutes later, a man says the same thing and everybody responds positively… So don't take it personally. Take it seriously so that you understand it, and then try to devise techniques to overcome it.”

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Women often silence themselves due to fear of being dismissed, while identical ideas from men are praised, highlighting a gender bias in workplace dynamics.

**In simple terms:** Women hold back because they fear being ignored, while men get credit for the same ideas.

Key Takeaway

Recognize bias, develop confidence, and use strategies to ensure your voice is heard.

Themes

gender bias confidence communication leadership workplace equality

Mood

frustrated determined hopeful

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- project pitches
- networking events
- performance reviews

Key Concepts

self‑efficacy social perception organizational culture

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you assert your ideas without feeling vulnerable?
- What practices can teams adopt to value contributions equally?

A Different Perspective

Bias can be subtle and systemic, requiring ongoing effort to change attitudes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-smart/) [Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Young women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-women/)

## Related quotes

> [Having children can be such a gift, but it can be a crushing experience for a certain kind of mom. And I am that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-chang/having-children-can-be-such-a-gift-but-it-can-be-a-crushing/)

[Victoria Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-chang/)

> [“Holding each other, the rain cooling their bodies, they laughed like children. "I expected steam this time," Jacques said, crushing her to him. "Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/holding-each-other-the-rain-cooling-their-bodies-they-laughed-like/)

[Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/)

> [“Time passes, her mother said, peeling carrots. No matter what you do. No matter what happens, she said, crushing garlic, hammering the side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maksik/time-passes-her-mother-said-peeling-carrots-no-matter-what-you-do-no/)

[Alexander Maksik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maksik/)

> [“Booth: "You're a smart ass, you know that?" Brennan: "Objectively I'd say I'm very smart, although it has nothing to do with my ass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-reichs/booth-you-re-a-smart-ass-you-know-that-brennan-objectively-i-d-say-i/)

[Kathy Reichs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-reichs/)

> [I don't mind playing someone's girlfriend or wife if I have something to say, if I bring something to the picture, if I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/i-don-t-mind-playing-someone-s-girlfriend-or-wife-if-i-have-something/)

[Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/)

> [My only agenda is trying to make you laugh and say something smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iliza-shlesinger/my-only-agenda-is-trying-to-make-you-laugh-and-say-something-smart/)

[Iliza Shlesinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iliza-shlesinger/)

> [“When I want something, I go after it. And baby, I want you, and all I can say is you might be smart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-renee-jones/when-i-want-something-i-go-after-it-and-baby-i-want-you-and-all-i-can/)

[Lisa Renee Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-renee-jones/)

> [when your time came, it came, and that was that. You might say something smart on your way out, but you might just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/when-your-time-came-it-came-and-that-was-that-you-might-say-something/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [Some people say I'm smart, other says I just need attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scientist-dumi/some-people-say-i-m-smart-other-says-i-just-need-attention/)

[Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scientist-dumi/)

> [I know for an actual fact that the things I say or that my brothers say on the mic are valid for life. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-know-for-an-actual-fact-that-the-things-i-say-or-that-my-brothers/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [“And she is remembering the words I put in her head…"You is kind," she say, "you is smart. You is important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/and-she-is-remembering-the-words-i-put-in-her-head-you-is-kind-she/)

[Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/)

> [Most men had rather say a smart thing than do a good one. John P. Kotter, Leading Change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/most-men-had-rather-say-a-smart-thing-than-do-a-good-one-john-p/)

[Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/)

> [The best way to honor someone who has said something smart and useful is to say something back that is smart and useful. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/the-best-way-to-honor-someone-who-has-said-something-smart-and-useful/)

[Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/)

> [I will not support putting American soldiers into Iraq as an occupying force. I don't think that is in our interest, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-will-not-support-putting-american-soldiers-into-iraq-as-an/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [Simply put, we have to be smart about how we use our power. Not because we have less of it  indeed, the might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/simply-put-we-have-to-be-smart-about-how-we-use-our-power-not-because/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

## More by Hillary Clinton

> [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I'm going to do everything I can to get myself elected, but that's not enough. I'm going to try to help move the Senate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-m-going-to-do-everything-i-can-to-get-myself-elected-but-that-s-not/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I think we have to take a look at corporate law. We have to take a look at the incentives that we can perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-think-we-have-to-take-a-look-at-corporate-law-we-have-to-take-a/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-that-i-ve-spent-trying-to/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [We know in New York we have several million at any one time who are in New York illegally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-know-in-new-york-we-have-several-million-at-any-one-time-who-are/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I have always believed that women are not victims, we are agents of change, we are drivers of progress, we are makers of peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-always-believed-that-women-are-not-victims-we-are-agents-of/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I have clearly said we faced terrorist enemies who use Islam to justify slaughtering innocent people and we have to stop them and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-clearly-said-we-faced-terrorist-enemies-who-use-islam-to/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [We now have power under the Dodd-Frank legislation to break up banks. And I've said I will use that power if they pose a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-now-have-power-under-the-dodd-frank-legislation-to-break-up-banks/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I am not going to make promises I can't keep. I am not going to talk about big ideas like single-payer and then not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-not-going-to-make-promises-i-can-t-keep-i-am-not-going-to-talk/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [It's important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-s-important-to-recognize-that-expanding-the-circle-of-opportunity/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [We're living in a technological world. You cannot tell me we can't do a better job getting that information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-re-living-in-a-technological-world-you-cannot-tell-me-we-can-t-do/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I do not think homosexuality is immoral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-do-not-think-homosexuality-is-immoral/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [We need to have more second chance programs. I'm glad that we're ending private prisons in the federal system; I want to see them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-need-to-have-more-second-chance-programs-i-m-glad-that-we-re/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [A nuclear-weapons armed Iran is not in anyone's human-rights interests. That is a direct threat to the lives and the livelihoods and the stability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/a-nuclear-weapons-armed-iran-is-not-in-anyone-s-human-rights/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

[Explore all 1,911 Hillary Clinton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

## More Being smart quotes

> [But if you get chronically, psychosocially stressed, you're going to compromise your health. So, essentially, we've evolved to be smart enough to make ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/but-if-you-get-chronically-psychosocially-stressed-you-re-going-to/)

[Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/)

> [Listen! Say less rather than more. If you want to be smart, play stupid!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helena-rubinstein/listen-say-less-rather-than-more-if-you-want-to-be-smart-play-stupid/)

[Helena Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helena-rubinstein/)

> [I hated grunge. No one’s more feminist than me, but you don’t have to look as if you don’t give a - you know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-zeta-jones/i-hated-grunge-no-one-s-more-feminist-than-me-but-you-don-t-have-to/)

[Catherine Zeta-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-zeta-jones/)

> [To be smart, spend carefully. To be wise, save regularly. To be genius, give extravagantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-ingram/to-be-smart-spend-carefully-to-be-wise-save-regularly-to-be-genius/)

[Chip Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-ingram/)

> [For the past few years, I've been more selective than I have any right to be, but I think that's finally starting to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzy-caplan/for-the-past-few-years-i-ve-been-more-selective-than-i-have-any-right/)

[Lizzy Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzy-caplan/)

> [If you're stupid enough to whiff, you should be smart enough to forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/if-you-re-stupid-enough-to-whiff-you-should-be-smart-enough-to-forget/)

[Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/)

> [I learned just to be a belligerent asshole, which was really: "You have to get what you need to get out of it." You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fincher/i-learned-just-to-be-a-belligerent-asshole-which-was-really-you-have/)

[David Fincher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fincher/)

> [I know it sounds weird, but my definition of 'sexy' has changed as I've gotten older. And being smart and informed makes me feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-shahi/i-know-it-sounds-weird-but-my-definition-of-sexy-has-changed-as-i-ve/)

[Sarah Shahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-shahi/)

> [It's always better to be wise than to be smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/it-s-always-better-to-be-wise-than-to-be-smart/)

[Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/)

> [Each practitioner thinks there's one magic way to get a machine to be smart, and so they're all wasting their time in a sense.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-minsky/each-practitioner-thinks-there-s-one-magic-way-to-get-a-machine-to-be/)

[Marvin Minsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-minsky/)

> [All my serving utensils are measured. It's not obvious, because they're really beautiful, but I have the option of tracking what I'm eating. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-vincent/all-my-serving-utensils-are-measured-it-s-not-obvious-because-they-re/)

[Ali Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-vincent/)

> [We should all feel confident in our intelligence. By the way, intelligence to me isn't just being book-smart or having a college degree; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabatha-coffey/we-should-all-feel-confident-in-our-intelligence-by-the-way/)

[Tabatha Coffey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabatha-coffey/)

> [Calling someone fat wont make you any skinnier, calling someone dumb dosnt make you any smarter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mean-girls/calling-someone-fat-wont-make-you-any-skinnier-calling-someone-dumb/)

[Mean Girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mean-girls/)

> [The way to win is to work, work, work, work and hope to have a few insights And you're probably not going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/the-way-to-win-is-to-work-work-work-work-and-hope-to-have-a-few/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

> [What we are saying is we have to be smart about the ideology that is putting this idea into the world that a woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asra-nomani/what-we-are-saying-is-we-have-to-be-smart-about-the-ideology-that-is/)

[Asra Nomani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asra-nomani/)

[Browse all 243 Being smart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-smart/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back because they're not sure that what they say will be smart enough. Or maybe they've said something in a prior meeting, and people acted like they hadn't said it, and that was crushing. Then we have all had the experience where 20 minutes later, a man says the same thing and everybody responds positively… So don't take it personally. Take it seriously so that you understand it, and then try to devise techniques to overcome it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hillary Clinton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-women-who-hold-back-because/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Being smart"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-women-who-hold-back-because/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/hillary-clinton-51_being-smart_i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-w_2400325.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I've seen it in so many talented young women who hold back because they're not sure that what they say will…” — Hillary Clinton",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Hillary Clinton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I've seen it in so many...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-women-who-hold-back-because/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-ve-seen-it-in-so-many-talented-young-women-who-hold-back-because/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
