5 Women Leaders Who Inspire Me
” I will not just live my life. I will not just spend my life. I will INVEST my life.” ~ Helen Keller
Helen Keller’s almost inconceivable journey from her childhood struggles to communicate with anyone due to her many disabilities, to a woman of victory, clarity in purpose, and being the World Changer she still is globally- is in my opinion one of the greatest heroine stories of the 20th century.
Helen’s triumph as a young deaf-blind girl, with her incredible teacher Anne Sullivan mentoring her, is but the beginning of her story. Her leadership skills would be used for activism, in a time that it was very difficult for women to be respected for being outspoken, and taking on the system. She opened the gateway for not only people with disabilities to imagine miracles coming in and through their lives, but she educated those without disabilities, that it IS a disability to limit others with our judgement. She modeled to us that disabilities are just challenges, that like all of us, we can overcome with hard work and determination.
Helen pushed for epic changes in the law, and created a place in our culture for people with disabilities to move from the hidden places, to mainstream education and employment opportunities. Her advancements have helped not only those with disabilities, but have inspired women of all backgrounds and races to realize what a difference one passionate voice can make. –Great leaders harness and use their strengths, and don’t let their perceived weaknesses stop them.
” Love cannot remain by itself, it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is SERVICE . ” ~Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa Devoted her entire adult life to the service and care of the poor, oppressed and the dying. It seemed almost inconceivable, until she did it, with humility. She also struggled with her own dragons so to speak, as we all do. Battling Depression and loneliness, Mother Teresa still chose service to others as her ultimate goal and purpose. She became a global icon for truly selfless Christ-like service to others. She personally cared for 1000’s of sick and dying people in Calcutta, and trained countless other volunteers, staff and as many as would listen, how to do the same. She was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1979. She honored others religious beliefs, while standing very firm in her own. She was known to be incredibly respectful to other cultures, races and traditions. She focused on showing others the pure and holy love of God, in big and small ways every day, until her death. –Great leaders always give more than they take.
“ The only tired I was, was tired of GIVING IN ” ~Rosa Parks
embrace real 