Women Who Inspire Me Celebrating International Womens Day

Today is International Womens Day, and in celebration I’d like to share the women in my life who have inspired me this year.

Lately I’ve been seeing far too many women berating, bashing or throwing other women under the bus and I think it’s time we begin to lift each other up and forget about the need to self-promote.

There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. ~ Madeleine Albright

Pink

It’s no secret that Pink is one of my favourite performers but she’s not simply a talented singer, dancer or writer!

This is a woman who began as a little girl with musical parents who had a dream and despite many hurdles and road blocks, she made it happen.

She found she didn’t conform to the trends in the current musical world and fought to make a niche for her own style.

Pink is a wife, mother and performer who inspires me on many levels.

“Women have to harness their power – it’s absolutely true. It’s just learning not to take the first no. And if you can’t go straight ahead, you go around the corner.” ~Cher

Ellie

Ellie is a dynamic woman whom I had the pleasure to meet once I arrived online, searching for blogs about women recovering from alcoholism.

Ellie is a wife and mother who faced her disease and beats it every single day! Ellie is the founder of a site which is dedicated to removing the stigma from alcoholism, Crying Out Now.

This woman, whom I’m proud to call a friend beat the snot out of tonsil cancer last year. She blogged about the horrific challenges of chemotherapy and poured her heart out to help herself and others on One Crafty Mother, once again showing me the POWER of honesty.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. 
You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” 
~ Lucille Ball 

Tanis

My quirky, wacky friend may be known to be outspoken in the social media realm but she’s also know to say what others are thinking.

Tanis is a brave, raw Mamma bear who fires me up within just a few words.

This year I’ve watched her go toe to toe with the word Retard, encourage men to breast feed, toss aside her Redneckness (in theory anyway) and just generally challenge me to WAKE UP.

If you’re looking for a warm-hearted, inspiring writer you’ve found her at TanisMiller.com.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.   ~Eleanor Roosevelt.

Shannon

Ah yes, Shannon is a dear friend who is apt to stop me at the pass each time I’m being reactive rather than taking a moment to settle my emotions and see the light. Shannon is my Christian soul-sister.

Shannon and I have the gift of spending many summer days on the beach together watching our children frolic in the lake. We have summer homes (ok trailers) at the same resort in Muskoka and can often be found trying to see our electronic devices in the blazing sun.

When I’ve been in dark valleys, Shannon has pulled me out by displaying her heart on Shasher’s Life and faith that God is with us at all times. She is happy to look into my troubled eyes and tell me to get over myself and move it along. I admire this.

These are a few of the stellar women I’ve had for inspiration over the past year, who has inspired you and have you let them know?