Inspiration, determination, and resilience: These are only a couple of words that come to my mind when I think of a role model. The inspiration to live a life full of respect, the determination to pass through even the eye of a hurricane with utmost courage, and the resilience that is needed to be strong for all encounters with life are rare jewels that sparkle within some. These people are called our role models, and we look up to them for inspiration and guidance. We learn to live with grace, courage, and zeal because of these role models around us.
As women, more often than not, we get more attention for our supposed “shortcomings” rather than for our greatest achievements. We get put down a lot, and we feel like we need to look and act a certain way to be desirable. Young girls that feel like that will grow into teenagers, and then adults who still feel like they are lacking somewhere. To avoid obsessing over these irrelevant matters, we need inspiration from a very young age. We need a face that we could remember and say to ourselves that, “If she can do this, I can too. I live for success and happiness, and not for a desirable physical appearance. I am strong and beautiful, and I’ll never forget that.” The women that inspire us to think and feel like this are our role models.
In my personal opinion, I really admire leaders that are confident and independent. I really like leaders that are confident about what they are standing up for, whether it is for human rights for a whole country or for a personal battle. Another key word that I place hand-in-hand with the word “leader” is the word “independent”. Oftentimes, a leader starts off as a single person, and this could be due to the fact that nobody believes in them or in their cause. However, you can identify a strong, righteous leader by their ability to walk in the path that they have carved out by themselves, if need be. The women that were a part of the suffrage movement back in the late 1800s and early 1900s demonstrated these very traits. Their confidence in the matter that they were fighting for, combined with their independence in walking along that path are undoubtedly admirable attributes. I admire those traits and I wish that I slowly develop these traits as well. I wish that one day I have the chance to become a confident, independent, and inspirational leader for many.
A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform.” -Diane Mariechild
Everyday, I am surrounded by women that do so much without expecting anything in return. I have seen women very close to me go through so many obstacles and hurdles but have emerged successful through all of them. These are the women that inspire me. Their perseverance, determination, love, and passion inspire me to work very hard and to never give up. There are also other women that I look up to as well. Marie Curie is one of these remarkable women. She was able to carve a breakthrough in the books of history in the male-dominated field of chemistry and radioactivity back in the 19th and 20th centuries. Lastly, another influential woman in my life is my mom. I do not think I will ever be able to measure how strong she is, because she has gone through so much in her life. She has a fighter spirit, and I look up at her for her strength, determination, and faith. Mom, you are a wonderful woman and mother, and I am inspired by your strength and values every single day.
I am so proud to be a woman because ahead of me, there have been so many women that have created legacies. These legacies will forever inspire me as a sister, a daughter, and as an individual, and I hope that they will always inspire you through good times, bad times, and milestones in your own lives.