I went looking for current inspirational women and found that most of the admired women of today are public figures who are involved in charity activities. Actresses who have time to support charities, models who do much the same. Or they are admired for their work on stage and screen. There are a few who are admired for their business sense, or for politics. In most instances, it's for making inroads to traditionally male areas.
I find that I admire women from history more--their accomplishments are more tangible to me--Marie Curie for her work in science, any of the women who fought for the right to vote, and women who created professions--such as nursing.
Still, I think the women who do what they do well and take pride in it are more inspiring than the celebrities of today who do charity work. Charity work is well and good, but most of us don't have that kind of time and money.
Angelina Jolie is considered an inspiring woman. And I can admire her dedication to charity work. She is also the mother of six children, several of whom are adopted. Were she a normal person, not celebrity, I'm not sure she would be able to "do it all". She not exactly someone who I would feel comfortable modeling my life after.
Finding a woman that I find truly inspiring, some one I can point to and say I want to be like that is not so easy. One I can identify, after some thought, is a teacher of mine. She has been in the geological field for close to 50 years now. She was voted as AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists) president. Randi Martinson was my first geology instructor. She is a strong woman and has toughed it out is a traditionally male world for a very long time. She is respected and a good teacher.
If I can have a career that I can look back on as successful and as having had a good contribution to the field I work in then I feel I have lived up to her example, at least somewhat.
What woman inspires you? Spin it up and link it up with Gretchen and Ginny Marie, they would love to have you!
That's so wonderful that your first geology instructor is the AAPG president. That is inspiring, and should be. I agree about Angelina J. I know I should admire her commitment and caring, but her lifestyle is so far removed from mine that it's hard for me to identify.
ReplyDeleteRandi Martinson sounds like an amazing woman! She is definitely inspiring! Thank you for writing about her. :)
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ReplyDeleteSorry, I screwed up on an earlier comment.
ReplyDeleteOur world needs more female science leaders. Thank you for focusing on one. Our girls need someone to look up to that can relate to their challenges. Good spin.
Sorry, I screwed up on an earlier comment.
ReplyDeleteOur world needs more female science leaders. Thank you for focusing on one. Our girls need someone to look up to that can relate to their challenges. Good spin.
Great post! I can only imagine what she went through being in a male dominated career. My career is the same only I am in engineering. It was women like her that paved the way for the rest of us to break through gender barriers.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you were to have a female in your field early in your career. I am sure she had to break down barriers along the way. Very enjoyable post.
ReplyDeleteI agree that most celebrities lives' ae not realistic enough to emulate. Your geology proefessor sounds like a great woman!
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