This March is Women's History Month, so I thought I would make a list of the women who have paved the way for us in society and who have inspired me on a day-to-day basis. Your own list might be longer or shorter, but I'm sure that whether you're male or female, there is a woman out there that has opened your eyes and changed the way you look at life. Here's to all the wonderful women out there who continue to alter lives in amazing ways.
1. Rosa Parks.
On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to get up from her seat for a white man after all the seats in the white section were filled. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus boycott, which became an important symbol in the Civil Rights Movement. Her legacy continues to live on and inspire others every day.
2. Viola Davis.
Viola Davis has easily become one of my favorite actresses. She also just became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for a lead role on the television series "How To Get Away With Murder." Viola is an amazing actress, but what is also remarkable is not only her talent, but the roles she plays. Most dark-skinned African-American women are typecast in roles that are stereotypical, such as the angry black woman, the wise churchgoing mother, or most often the single mother. But her roles provide depth and meaning to characters, whether they were white or black. I see her as an inspiration to those in the African-American community. Anything is possible.
3. Michelle Obama.
Regardless of how you feel about Obama's politics, I believe Michelle has done a great job as a first lady. She has inspired kids around the country to care more about their education and has raised awareness about the importance of eating right along with daily exercise. She is also the only First Lady to hold two Ivy League degrees and her arms also have their own zip code.
4. Sylvia Plath.
She is one of my favorite poets and her only full-length novel still speaks to me today. While Sylvia was a phenomenal writer and intelligent woman, far more advanced than her time, she still faced a multitude of mental issues during her lifetime. Her death was tragic, but her works will lives on.
5. Oprah Winfrey.
She had a successful talk show, is a successful philanthropist and is America's first and only African-American woman billionaire. Everything this woman touches turns to gold. Honestly what more can I say?
6. J.K. Rowling.
She was a single mother in poverty and decided to write the "Harry Potter" books as a way to provide for her family. She didn't deal with instant fame, as most publishers rejected her novel. Now her series has sold 400 million copies worldwide and she has become a multimillionaire.
7. Laila Ali.
The daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, she also became prominent in the world of boxing with 24 undefeated wins. I wouldn't want to get on her bad side.
8. Anne Frank.
Even though she was so young when she wrote in her diary, her words of love and hope continue to inspire me today.
9. Marie Curie.
The first woman to win a Nobel Prize in two areas, she also co-discovered the elements radium and polonium. She was the first to suggest radiation be used to treat cancer, all while fighting prejudice against women in science.
10. Rosalind Franklin.
She discovered proof of the DNA double helix before Watson, Crick and Wilkins were credited with doing so. Their work was actually based upon her data. They won a Nobel Prize based on her work, while she died with no recognition.
11. My mom.
Last, but certainly not least, the one woman who continues to inspire me -- my mom. She's done nothing but encourage me and teach me the value of my worth. I don't know if I would be the same person without her teachings and love. My mom is my biggest inspiration and also my biggest fan.
