Women Who Inspire Us
International Women's Day (IWD) shouldn't just be one day, it should be everyday!
Women are strong, kind, gentle, determined, and so much more. Yet we forget that we need a break, to recharge and rewire ourselves. In honor of IWD, I decided to dedicate each day to taking care of myself and inspiring other women to do the same, it's the least we can do!
But first, I'd like to pay tribute to the amazing women that inspire me on a daily basis. These women have gone through many of life's hurdles and continue to overcome them. We can all connect to each one of them in one way or another, and in no particular order here is my inspiration:
1. Diana Frances Spencer, aka Diana, Princess of Wales (Humanitarian)
- Married in British Royalty, Diana was known as the Princess of the People. During her short life, she has helped countless charities and movements. From advocating for homelessness to protecting those injured from landmines, Princess Diana helped any and everyone. Her grace, kindness, and humility is what touched everyone's heart. She remained human, even as a royal and fought for those who feared the monarchy, a true Princess.
2. Malala Yousafzai (Activist, Author, & Humanitarian)
- *Disclaimer: we do not own the rights to this photo; found via Google Images* Yousafzai is a powerhouse! She has spoken out about the Taliban's ban on education for females. By doing so, she put her life at risk. One day, as she boarded a bus, Yousafzai was targeted by a gunnman who shot her in the head. Miraculously, she survived and her fight against the ban on female education grew stronger. In her efforts, Malala Fund was founded. With Yousafzai's determination and perseverance we can all make small changes for a better future.
3. Gabrielle Union (Actress, Activist, & Author)
- Gabrielle Union is a total triple threat and BOSS! Aside from her acting roles in various movie genres, she is an author and advocate for gender and racial equality. Union's transparency with infertility struggles has connected women in more ways than one. She gave a voice to the voiceless, and fought for equality in every way. Her determination to fight for the underdog is what drives me to do the same.
4. Greta Thurnberg (Activist)
- At the mere age of 15, Thurnberg skipped school to protest for climate change at the Swedish Parliament. Little did she know the whirlwind she had cause by doing so! Thurnberg, proclaims that us humans need to reduce our carbon footprint to save us from global warming. Her activism created a chain reaction, thus students around the world began a movement called "Fridays for Future." Soon after, Thurnberg took the world by storm with her determination to heal the wounds of the earth.
5. Charlize Theron (Actress & Advocate):
- At a young age, Theron was grown up in an abusive household. She has seen all kinds of verbal and physical abuse from her father who was also an alcoholic. Eventually, Theron witnessed her mother shoot and kill her father in self-defense. Since then, Theron has opened up numerous rape crisis centers to help victims of abuse. I admire Theron for turning her trauma into a resource for other victims of abuse.
As women we are expected to wear different hats, from mom, to chef, to boss babe, to wife. But, sometimes those hats tend to slip off when we forget to take care of ourselves. You deserve to be appreciated and celebrated this month. As Princess Diana said, “every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.” So remember to thank the women who inspire you and remember that you're an inspiration to someone, too!