“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” I was lucky enough to live a life surrounded by strong women. I never realized the impact that the women in my life had on me until I got to college. Growing up with my mother, five aunts, two grandmothers, and four great grandmothers surrounded me with constant role models.

They taught me that not only am I allowed to be a smart, creative, funny, strong willed, and witty, but I should be! My mother had me at the age of nineteen finished college and earned two masters degrees after that. If that’s not badass I don’t know what is!

Not only have the women in my family been insanely strong but many of the friendships I have made throughout my life have been positive influences. I believe that all of these relationships have helped shape the strong-willed woman that I have become. In light of the world we live in I believe it is crucial that we thank them for all they have done for us.

To my mom, thank you for teaching me that you can be a strong career woman and a mom. As I grew up, you managed to work full time and be a very involved mom. Not only did you work you excelled in that career because of your passion and dedication to all children. You continue to amaze me every day in all you accomplish.

To my grandmothers, thank you for teaching me what being a friend was about. You taught me that in order for a friendship to grow I must be kind, honest, and always willing to give more than I will ever receive. Most importantly, the greatest gift will be in the form of true friendship.

To my aunts, all of you walked your own path and while none of them were easy you walked them with grace and dignity. So thank you for showing me that whatever life throws at me, I will hold my head high and face it.

To my friends I met in high school thank you for teaching me that you define what makes you a strong women and no one can take that away from you. You all were different and unique and yet strong and smart and had all of qualities that I aspire to have.

To my friends I’ve made in college, thank you for showing me what being a collegiate woman looks like. From forcing me to do my homework, to buckling down and taking care of my obligations, to taking me out when I need to laugh and smile. You all have shown me that there needs to be a balance of fun and work in order to be a strong and frankly sane person.

To my new found Phi Sigma Sigma sisters, thank you showing me what a group of women can accomplish if they work together. We are starting a sorority. We are a part of something much larger than us and in doing so we are shattering the stereotypes surrounding sorority girls.

To my best friends, thank you for being there through the rough and awful times. You have shown me that in order to be strong it is okay to breakdown. Without your love, I would not know that it is okay to be vulnerable and rely on others. Sometimes in order to succeed I must fall and even break.

And finally, to the strong women I look up to in the media. Thank you for fighting for not only my rights but the rights of all women. Thank you for standing and speaking out when it is easier to stay silent. Even though we will likely never meet, thank you for teaching me that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

I only hope that I can pass these lessons and many more to my children and the other women in my life. And I hope that I can pass along the impact you have made on me to those women around me. It has been a pleasure learning each lesson from mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends. Your influence has had a far greater impact than you will ever know.