Are you an inspirational woman? Yes, you are. You are both inspiring and you get inspired. You are both tired and fierce. You are both calm and aggressive. You are both understanding and impatient. You are both critical and loving. You are all of it. That is what makes up you.
This post about four powerful women is inspired by Women’s History Month. Though many celebrated women during this month are deceased, many other women, currently alive and well, are paving the path for our future. Could you be one of them?
Women’s History Month
Per History.com, “Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions in history, culture, and society…” Many women are acknowledged, observed, and celebrated for their part in history during the month of March each year. I’m sure several names immediately come to mind when you hear “Women’s History Month.”
Many of these famous women deserve credit for being brave, courageous, and strong. They deserve accolades for being a pioneer in our history.
In addition to the work that made these women famous, they were women just like you and me. They had hardship. They had pain. They had wants and desires. They had periods, cramps, cry-sessions, and moments of “not my best self.” They had good days and bad days. They were women – women no more powerful or worthy than you or I.
We all choose how we live our life. Some of us live in fear and stay small and stay safe. On the contrary, some of us have fear, ignore that fear, and act despite fear. Some of us limit ourselves with our thoughts and beliefs. Others live with a free and open mind and choose not to be defined by their past or by their surroundings. Nonetheless, we are free (now) to live as we so choose. What we do with our life is our choice.
Women and Friendship
Yes, I know about girls and women being catty, back-stabbing, gossipy, hateful, sassy, manipulative, deceitful, and the list goes on. While I do not think these qualities explicitly belong to females, I know many females, including myself, who have practiced some of these qualities at some point in their life.
While these qualities may seem prevalent to you from time to time, I choose to think that the world, especially females, are bettering themselves. I see young girls and women supporting each other, sincerely complementing each other, inspiring each other, collaborating, and cheering each other on.
In the Spring of 2020 when we were locked down because of COVID, one of my dearest friends and I would sit in lawn chairs on her front lawn, at least six feet apart of course, and do what we do best – discuss life, solve problems, vent to each other, and dream with each other.
One of these visits led to us sincerely expressing our gratitude for each other, to each other. Something she said to me has had a lasting impression. She said that our friendship is one of God’s provisions in her life. She explained that she firmly believes that God gives us exactly what we need and that our friendship was a blessing and a provision from God! I couldn’t agree more!!
In our online world today, we are exposed to so much more knowledge, so many more people, and so many more experiences. Besides the “old school” way of watching people on television or movies or listening to them on the radio, now, we can follow people on multiple social media channels, watch them on YouTube, and listen to them on podcasts. When you regularly are exposed to the same people, after a while, you feel like you know them. You feel connected to them. You feel as if you are friends in some way, even though you may not know each other in real life.
I commonly find the four powerful women below inspirational and motivating. I have respect for them. I admire them in certain ways. I connect to their vibe. Here are women, that if I knew them, I am certain we would be friends.
Dolly Parton
For the past several New Year’s Eves, my small family of four sits around our table, eats snacks, and plays games. Last year, we played a game called Family Time. When I was posed with the question, “If you could spend the day with anyone in the world (past or present), who would it be?” I responded with Dolly Parton. We often create a follow-up question of our own and this follow-up question was “Why?”
I think a day with Dolly Parton would be fulfilling. It would be fun. It would be deep, heartfelt, and spiritual. It would be enlightening. It would be both grounding and uplifting. It would be full of laughter, wisdom, humility, honesty, and passion. A day with Dolly would be memorable.
“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Dolly Parton
If I were to answer this same question again, after some very brief thought, these three other women came to mind.
Oprah Winfrey
There are only a few people that I can think of that are known by their first name alone. No last name is necessary. Oprah, being one of the most influential women in the world, is one of those people.
I don’t need to tell you how strong she is, how smart she is, or how determined she is. Her results in life speak for themselves. Her success and influence are incomprehensible to many.
Oprah paved her own way. She earned what she has. She was handed doom and gloom in her early life and turned that into personal power, freedom, and unleashed a woman in herself that many women aspire to be like.
If I had a day with Oprah, I would study her as if she was a specimen. I would pay attention to her demeanor, her choice of words, her tone, and her habits.
I would probably leave exhausted after a day with Oprah. I would probably also feel enlightened spiritually, motivated to conquer the next version of myself, and humbled by her relatability.
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” Oprah Winfrey
Brene Brown
I think that the work Brene Brown is doing and giving to our world is so profoundly important.
Not only does Brene do great work, but she also embodies it and makes herself vulnerable. She expresses herself as an imperfect, always changing, a human who is not above shame and guilt, both of which she is considered an expert in.
To me, Brene is admirable for her honesty and vulnerability, brave to put out her work, and is indirectly making the world a better place because she is living out her passion and allowing others to intake it and grow and improve from it.
In addition, Brene and I both reside in and are deeply Texan. Because of our proximity as basically neighbors, I feel like we are already close friends. 😊
“We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both.” Brene Brown
Eleanor Roosevelt
Oh, Eleanor! What motivated you back then? Who inspired you to be the woman you were? Who did you admire? Were you afraid to say some of the things you said? What did your friends and family think about you? Do you have any regrets? What were some of your biggest lessons learned in life?
I would interact with Eleanor Roosevelt interview-style. I would have my questions lined up, prioritized, and ready to go for our day together. I would be eager to dive into what drives her.
I have not done my homework on Eleanor, read her biography, or delved into her life story, but I do know that over the past couple of years, her messages and quotes have entered my space multiple times and I cannot ignore whatever attraction is there. Sometimes, people enter your life and you have no idea why – yet.
“A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Strong Women are Made
I do not believe that these women are any different than you or me. For all of us, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Though everyone’s struggle may be different, struggle in life is inevitable. It’s how you handle it. It’s what you learn from it. It’s what you do with it. Strong, powerful women are made from life’s experiences.
Until death, there is no destination point where the struggle ends. There’s not a finale where everything in life is finally perfect and then can live happily ever after. It’s about living the best way you know how each and every day.
Learn from girls and women. Support other girls and women. Own your womanhood and pursue your best life while you have it.
- Do you have a favorite quote, bible verse, mantra or group of words that really speak to you? I’d love to hear it. Share in the comments below.
- Just for fun, download a “Who Said It?” matching worksheet where you can match some well-known quotes to the famous women that said them. Type your email address in the form below and I’ll send it it right over to you.