A is for Admiration – 6 Inspirational Women I Admire

When it comes to role models, who do you admire?  Some admire athletes, movie stars and singers.  Not me. Instead, I admire people who have made a contribution to this world due to their hard work and perseverance.   There are many women who fit that bill, but there’s no way for me to list them all.  So instead, please take a look at these 6 women who truly inspire me.  You think you have problems?  Well try stepping into the shoes of some of the women listed below and your problems will pale in comparison.

I have listed them in no particular order.

Rosa Parks

 
“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.”
-Rosa Parks

On the afternoon of December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks got fed up and decided enough was enough.  When ordered to give up her bus seat to a white man, she refused.  She was later arrested.  Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

I admire her for her bravery. She was brave enough to stand up for herself and became a key figure in the civil rights movement.

Helen Keller

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
-Helen Keller

Despite being deaf and blind, Helen Keller learned how to speak, read and write. She attended and graduated college and went on to become an orator, author and advocate for people with disabilities and numerous other causes.

I admire her because she didn’t let her disabilities stand in the way of achieving her dreams.

Anne Frank

“Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.”
-Anne Frank

Anne Frank and her family were forced to go into hiding to avoid persecution and capture  during the Holocaust.  While all of this was going on, Anne kept a diary which provided great insight into what was really going at the time from the perspective of a teenage girl.

I admire her because despite all of the chaos that was going on all around her, she remained positive and still saw the good in people.

J.K. Rowling

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
― J.K. Rowling

In her past, J. K. Rowling has had to deal with domestic violence, extreme poverty and bouts of depression.  After writing Harry Potter, she was rejected by a whopping twelve publishers before it was finally picked up by Bloomsbury.

I admire her because of her ability to keep pushing forward.  Sometimes being rejected is the best thing that can happen to someone. She is the perfect example of the popular phrase “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”

Michelle Obama 

“I like to talk about my obsession with French fries because I don’t want people to think that ‘Let’s Move’ is about complete, utter deprivation. It’s about moderation and real-life changes and ideas that really work for families.”
-Michelle Obama

Though she’s received a lot of criticism on her “Let’s Move” campaign, I applaud Michelle Obama for increasing public awareness on the growing issue of obesity.   It’s a serious issue and one that I think will just continue to grow unless we start taking action.

My Mom
“I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine – she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.”
~Terri Guillemets

Of course I had to include my mom in this list!  She has been and continues to be my number one role model in life.   I look at her as a woman of strength, character and discipline. She is the person who has the most impact in my life, and she made me a better person.