If you ask any given person who their role model is, you'll hear a lot of athletes names, actors, and maybe some family members. You rarely hear names of influential women of the modern day and throughout the past. Each of the following women should be considered role models for different reasons.
Princess Diana
She was the first wife of Prince Charles and the mother of Princes William and Harry. She was killed in a car accident in August of 1997, but throughout her lifetime, she was a very powerful female figure on the worldly scale. In an interview she gave in November of 1995, she stated, "I remember when I use to sit on hospital beds and hold people's hands, people used to be sort of shocked because they said they'd never seen this before, and to me this was quite a normal thing to do. And when I saw the reassurance that an action like that gave, I did it everywhere and will always do that." Diana said something in that quote that stuck with me, which is after she saw what a reassurance she was, she vowed to continue. As a lady in her position, her to value her people shows how great of a leader she really is.
Later in that interview she talked about people not wanting her to be queen: "Because I do things differently, because I don't go by a rule book, because I lead from the heart, not the head, and albeit that's got me into trouble in my work, I understand that. But someone's got to go out there and love people and show it." No matter what, she loved her people. She showed them that no matter what position she was in, her people were more important to her than her prestige.
Lastly, she gave a quote that every female should live by and the reason she should be seen as a role model to every female, "I think every strong woman in history has had to walk down a similar path, and I think it's the strength that causes the confusion and fear."
Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy
Widower of her late husband President John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy was a very influential lady. She was smart, very literate, which could be seen in her writing. She showed people she cared about them. She was even an advocate for different foundations: Girls Scouts, the Cancer Society, and others. But one of the biggest reasons she is a role model is for the love she showed her husband when he was shot. It was a picture that generations after have seen, when she climbed on top of her husband after he has been shot to shield him from any more rounds. With no regard for her own safety, she was more concerned for protecting her husband, which not only shows love but loyalty as well. She was also a classy female in the way she dressed. She did not need short shirts and cropped tops to make a statement—her pill box hats and dresses did that for her.
Malala Yousafzai
The 18 year old that believed in the value of education so much that she took a bullet in the head for it. This woman stood up against the Taliban. And even after surviving a gunshot wound, she still was an advocate for education. Everyone should look up to her for facing adversity and fighting for what she believes in, which is why she is a great role model, especially to young women.
Rosa Parks
She was also a woman that stood against adversity. In a time where the African Americans were faced with segregation and discrimination, she stood up for what she believed in. She refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white person, which she was arrested for. She faced jail time just to show people that segregation and discrimination against a race is wrong. Everyone should model themselves to stand up for morality.
Ayesha Curry
Although she is hated by many Cavaliers fans right now because of what she tweeted, let's take a look at why she is a good role model. She talks openly about her faith and gives glory to God. A lot of celebrities don't do that. But she is a great role model for being a wife and a mother. She talks a lot about her love for Stephen and how their relationship is built on faith and communication. Something everyone needs to incorporate into a healthy relationship. And she is a good mother; she looks out for her children's well-being. She recently said that she no longer brings Riley to games because they want to keep her on her schedule. And she also says that when people try and take pictures of Riley, she gives them a look to make them aware and put their camera down. So as much as Cavs fans hate her right now, no one can deny that she is a role model for wives and mothers.
Past and present, there are many women that are changing stereotypes and proving that they can be powerful role models. So follow these women, know you can make a difference, and go out there and make a name for yourself.
