To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I wanted to just be like everyone else, now I don't 'cause that's boring.

-- Jorja Smith

Individuality: the quality or character of a person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.

-- Caroline McHugh

More than I can remember, women in particular made comments about being brave, only because they couldn't imagine their heads without hair.

-- Caroline McHugh

Bravery = doing what you can't imagine doing or being what you can't imagine being

Doing what you can't imagine doing or being what you can't imagine being => goals that your subconscious mind cares about

ART; A 60's Free Spirit Whose Main Subject Was Herself

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/05/arts/art-a-60-s-free-spirit-whose-main-subject-was-herself.html

-- New York Times

Discovered via a Google search with "yayoi kusama individualist"

Yayoi Kusama

https://www.collectorsagenda.com/en/reviews/yayoi-kusama

-- Collectors Agenda

Discovered via a Google search with "yayoi kusama individualist"

Sia Furler Interview : Reveals Why She Hides Her Face, New Album, Love Life & More

Yayoi Kusama

http://time.com/4299687/yayoi-kusama-2016-time-100/

-- TIME

Found this article in TIME 100 for 2016.

That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities... afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope.

-- Janelle Monae

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm. She says: "That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities… afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope."

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae. The fact that she makes the clarity an important aspect of her art is commendable.

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs. In "Faster:" Am I a freak? Or just another little weirdo? Call me weak, or better yet – you can call me your hero, baby. It also comes up in her history; when she was 12, she was in a band called The Weirdoz.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae turns rhythm and blues into science fiction

http://io9.gizmodo.com/5592174/janelle-monae-turns-rhythm-and-blues-into-science-fiction

-- io9

Sarah Robles and Michelle Carter redefine 'normal' and hope young girls everywhere are listening

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-oly-robles-plaschke-20160815-snap-story.html

-- Los Angeles Times

Caroline McHugh Podcast February 2014

Ellen at Tulane Commencement 2009

Meet Nadia Ali, The Hijab wearing porn star

http://naradanews.com/2016/05/meet-nadia-ali-the-hijab-wearing-porn-star/

-- Narada News

Ellen DeGeneres’ 2009 Commencement Speech at Tulane University (Full Transcript)

http://www.singjupost.com/ellen-degeneres-2009-commencement-speech-at-tulane-university-full-transcript/

-- The Singju Post