Growing up, I was lucky to have my mom, grandmothers, a great grandmother, aunts, and many female cousins who taught me a lot about myself and what it means to be a strong woman. Having such an abundance of hard-working and driven females as role models shaped me into the woman I am today.

I know from seeing the generations of women in my family that strong women create strong women, and the bond between them as they share their knowledge is something I am lucky to be able to experience. I have seen my grandmothers pass down strength to my mom and aunts and all of them pass this on to my cousins and I.

My nana has shown me her strength more than I ever thought possible in the past few years. Having lost her husband and my papa, she had to adjust to a new life of independence. My family and I have seen her struggle as well as succeed, and I cannot express how much I have grown to admire her and her abilities during this time in her life.

I have seen my Aunt Randi go through divorce, breast cancer, raising two daughters, and finding the love she deserves in a new husband. Her ability to remain positive through all situations is a quality I think she has instilled in me, as well as in her two daughters, more than she would ever realize.

Besides beating breast cancer while raising young children who were only seven and ten years old at the time, my mom does amazing work every day that shows me the true definition of strength and passion. She works as a paraprofessional in a local city, aiding students that include minorities, special needs children, and more.

Not only does my mom exhibit passion for her work, but she goes above and beyond to create a stable and safe environment for her students. She works early mornings and late nights at her school’s programs even though she is not required to, and I think doing the work that she does requires great strength.

Many of my aunts also share this passion for serving a community, including two of my aunts who work directly with community service in children and adults. These women have inspired me to become a leader in my community.

I have many female cousins who are also strong as hell. I have a cousin who works with special needs children, a cousin who went through years of work to obtain a cosmetology license, and a cousin who found her passion in dance and gymnastics despite being told she does not have the “right body” for it.

I consider myself lucky to have so many amazing, strong women in my life, and I am grateful that their strength has been instilled in me. I can only hope I will be able to handle the world as graciously as they did, and I know that I will be able to with them beside me.