In honor of International Women’s Day, I’ve been asked to share about one of my prominent female role models. In today’s world I could name a million, but today I just want to talk about one woman! The woman that made a difference in my life and shaped who I am as a strong independent, caring and loving woman is who I reflect on the most.
When I was asked to write about a female role model my heart sank. Who was I going to write about? Who’s changed my life for the better? Who can I call an inspiration? For me that is hard to articulate. Growing up, that female role model was my mother, but she isn’t today.
Looking back now, I can say that she was an inspiration for me to want to be a better daughter, a stronger woman, and a more nurturing mother! This was not because she was those things, it’s because she wasn’t. Living life with her was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to go through as a child. Now looking back objectively, I can see that I am the woman I am today because of those struggles.
Prominent female role models don’t have to be perfect, in fact, they can be perfectly imperfect. These women that we hold to such high regard are some of the same people that have challenged us for a lifetime.
With all of this being said, I strive to be a positive role model in the community. After all of the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through, the life I’ve fought for, the amazing mother that I have become, I couldn’t be more grateful to have lived those experiences. Because without them, I don’t think I could say I am a female role model!
Being a woman means so much more to me than what women as a whole should stand for. Start with yourself and become your own inspiration and that will show the world that through the years of challenging times, no matter what we will always rise above!
International Women’s Day is meant to be inspiring and an opportunity to gleefully show our appreciation for how far women have come culturally, socially, economically and politically. I can say that even though we may not always see eye to eye on these same ideals, when diversity comes between us, we still love, support, learn and forgive one another!
