Hello, I am a woman. I grew up with many wonderful women in my life, and it never occurred to me until I got to be in middle school that women have been seen as inferior for centuries. This is not to say they are because I think we can all agree women are some of the most powerful people in the world. No, I do not believe women are above everyone else, but I think they should not be taken for granted. While this list could go on and on, here are six women I aspire to be like.
1. Marie Colvin
Marie Colvin is passionate if I ever saw it. Colvin was a journalist from America who worked for the British in foreign affairs. She was obsessed with reporting real news to the public and risked her life many times to expose the truth. While she surely was not fearless, her bravery is evident in the many articles, movies, and a biography. Unfortunately, Colvin died in 2012 when covering the siege of Homs in Syria. Her dedication and passion are what I truly aspire to be like in my life. I live my days wanting to love my job just as much as Marie Colvin.
2. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Ginsburg is the second woman to sit in the U.S. Supreme Court. She graduated from Harvard University alongside nine other female students. Ginsburg is a huge advocate for equal gender rights and is the lead counsel for the ACLU Women's Rights Project. She has fought tirelessly in order to place a better legal foundation in which women are considered more to be equals. She is truly a woman for the women.
3. Mochizuki Chiyome
Now, this right here is a strong woman. Mochizuki Chiyome was a noblewoman living in the 16th century in Japan. Her husband was a samurai of Shinano's Saku District. When he died in combat, a relative of his approached Mochizuki and commanded her to recruit women and form an underground network of female ninjas (kunoichi). She was ordered to send out her forces against rivals. While there is not definitive evidence of her being, the idea of a woman being able to have so much power in combat, especially in the 16th century, is extraordinary.
4. Frida Kahlo
To say Frida Kahlo had a difficult life would be an understatement. She grew up having polio and when she was young was involved in a bus accident that left her with life-lasting pain. To deal with grief and overwhelming emotions, Kahlo channeled her feelings into her artwork and poetry. Her work shows what we may see as odd and expressionist, but for her, they hold deep meaning and a haven for herself. Today, Kahlo's work is world renowned and there are many places to go see her amazing artwork.
5. Peggy Whitson
Peggy Whitson holds the U.S. record for the most days spent in space (an amazing 665 days). From 1988, Whitson started her work at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas as a National Research Council Resident Research Associate. In 1991, she started a career teaching in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics at the University of Texas. Whitson has over 20 awards, including being apart of Time's 100 most influential people. I think she's pretty cool, and as a kid, I had decided I wanted to be an astronaut because of her.
6. Kat Gunn
The gaming world typically is seen as a realm for the dudes, but Kat Gunn decided she was not buying it. Currently, Gunn is the highest earning female gamer in the world. She is also a winner of the World Cyber Games Ultimate Gamer. She has competed universally in gaming competitions (holding her own, for sure) and has even started her own printing company. In the modern world, where girls are often shamed for gaming or not taken seriously, Gunn is definitely a woman to look up to.
I believe, woman or not, all of the women I have listed have lessons people from all walks of life can learn from. In a world where women are on the rise more than ever, we all will have great stories to tell one day.
