It’s International Women’s Day today. And we’re celebrating at Mamamia by talking about the women in Australia – and in the world – who inspire us. Everyone from Oprah to Anna Bligh, Lisa Simpson and Caitlin Moran.
Think of this as your International Women’s Day open post. A chance to tell us what you think of the idea of a day dedicated to women. Does the day make you feel inspired? Sad? Want to kick of your shoes and sing and dance to ‘I am Woman?’ Or does it make you feel a little ‘meh?’
Later today we’ll be posting more International Women’s Day posts, including a video of Mamamia publisher Mia Freedman interviewing her mum, Kathy, about feminism, contraception, life and hairy armpits, which you won’t want to miss.
And if you haven’t read it yet, Mamamia’s associate editor Rebecca Sparrow wrote this beautiful letter to her daughter, Ava. It’s one to share with your children, your friends, your mothers and your grandmothers. And everyone else you know.
In the meantime – have a flick though the gallery and then tell us which women inspire you.
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Top Comments
Pink! She an awful childhood and stayed strong, overcame a drug addiction, and is an equal rights activist. She inspires me to be the best I can be,and I think she is amazing!
What a lovely gallery. There are definitely some very talented and inspiring women in there. At the moment I can think of 2 women in my life personally who inspire me.
1. My mum, for a few reasons. Firstly, for being a stay at home mum with my sister and I until we were both at school while Dad worked long hours as a bank manager. We shifted around a lot during those years and it must have been hard trying to find your feet in a new place every year or two, while raising 2 young daughters away from family support. Secondly, for how hard she works as a teacher aide now, as well as being there for her Mum who has advanced Alzhiemer's and lives in a nursing home, all while putting up with hell from her sister. She is just amazing and I don't know how she does it.
2. One of the faculty staff at my uni. To me she is just everything I would like to be when I graduate from uni: successful in her career, has worked in different areas of the field, respected by her peers, a mother, kind and capable, but what I admire most about her is that she is human. Being a perfectionist myself and coming from a family where being perfect is highly valued, to have met someone who is out there doing it, but still makes mistakes and gets on with things anyway is the most inspiring thing ever to me because it makes me feel like I can do it too. She also believes in me and my abilities, which inspires me to persist despite the challenges I face.