Who do you genuinely admire and why?

[puzzleofapuzzle]

I've been approached to take part in an International Women's Day event this year where the theme is Inspiring Women, and it's got me thinking about people I've looked up to over the years.

So I'm curious: who do you look up to and admire most, and what is it about them that draws you to them? Could be someone you know, or someone in the public eye, and doesn't have to be a woman.

I'm not talking envy or people who have lives you wish you had – more people who live their lives in a way you can learn from, or who give you hope / motivation.

For me right now it's a woman I share a co-working space with. She's a very successful freelancer, and she's got this amazing blend of deep humility and total authenticity. No pretence, no showboating, she's just completely honest and frank about who she is and how she's feeling, where she's winning and where she's messing up, and crucially, what she's learning about herself all the time.

As I think about it, I think there's something to it about how she's separated her sense of self-worth from what she's getting right and wrong, so she's free to do well, to do something badly, and to be curious and open about it in a way that lets everyone off the hook for being human.

Who is it for you?

JKR stands out for me. Also Jess Phillips.

Jasmine Harrison.
Jasmine comes from the town where I live and she was my children's swimming teacher.
She has broken two world records, one for being the youngest solo female to row the Atlantic and one for being the first female to swim the full length of the British Isles.
At the moment she is sailing the qualifying leg of a round the world solo sailing race.

She is so inspiring and brave. I hope she inspires my children to get out of this town and see the world and what's out there.

Gisele Pelicot - she is so unbelievably brave and dignified.

My best friend who has numerous grim health problems but continues to have an amazing career and be an incredible friend as well as endless support for her children, who have a range of mental and physical challenges. She has a lovely husband and is great fun and just inspirational in how she keeps going when other people may have chosen to step back and give themselves a break. I am proud to have her as a friend.

Agree a million times over

A friend who has a father with bipolar disorder, and a young son who's just been diagnosed with ADHD and put on medication one recent side effect of which was a manic episode which reminded her of her childhood (so she's looking at BPD in her son also). She has a younger child too. The way in which she handles the issues that come up, the way she fights doctors and schools for her boys, the way she handles her DH's (very unsupportive) family, the kindness she shows my DC - I'm welling up just thinking about it all. She's the kind of woman who takes on everything with equanimity and pragmatism, a potty mouth and filthy sense of humour, intelligence and wisdom. She's amazing.

Also JK Rowling: she knows right from wrong and hasn't allowed anything to change her mind. She has used her experiences, prominence, wealth and power to do good things for the UK (via the Harry Potter franchise) and for women everywhere. She's a role model for my DD.

J K Rowling - stands up for her beliefs, is a philanthropist (puts her money where her mouth is), incredibly creative and keeps on working despite not needing to.

Both for me too.

International Women's Day event. I'm curious: who do you look up to and admire most ... doesn't have to be a woman.
Run that past me again.

JK Rowling - for standing up for women despite the abuse and threats of violence.
Martina Navratilova - not only for her achievements, but the dignity and grace with which she handled discrimination, and how she was unapologetically herself, despite what it cost her.
My sister - who went through severe mental health problems, to the point of being almost bedridden for a year, but has clawed her way back and has never stopped being there for me.

My mum, it sounds cliche but she's genuinely impressive I think.

Left school one o level. Wanted to do nursing but forced to go to secretarial college by her (by today's standards) abusive and somewhat alcoholic mother.

Worked two jobs to keep her one bed flat and had to choose between heating and eating. Took in friends and helped them when she had nothing herself.

Got herself out of a physically abusive relationship before she met my dad.

Got herself a job in a convent nursing home as an auxiliary nurse. Got to be an enrolled nurse and did her conversion course to be an rgn.

Met my dad and got married, I came along unplanned. Then managed to get a house and move out of her 14th floor flat at 8 months pregnant. Went back to work when I was 6 weeks old out of necessity.

Worked full time while I was a kid and supported my dad to finish his degree. Got herself a phycology degree (while I was still in primary school). Worked nights for years while my dad did 9-5 so I could have a stable happy home, not being left with childminders etc. Left my dad when he spent all their money on weed, but made it probably the least traumatic divorce I've ever witnessed (for me at least).

When they divorced was adamant that I should have a relationship with my dad, which I do, a very good one (he's not an unpleasant man but I do fully understand why she divorced him). Quite an unusual attitude in the 90s.

She let him keep my childhood home to minimise disruption to me. Bought yet another house on her own and made it a wonderful, happy, peaceful place. It was our sanctuary. All on her own.

Defended me against the draconian teachers who made me trek back and forth across the school when I had period pain so back it made me throw up, and periods so heavy I bled through my tights and skirt. Refused to let them punish me twice for things that weren't under my control and refused to allow Saturday detention for being late, because my dad would take me to school across the city on a Monday and we didn't always make it on time, because that was my day with him. I knew absolutely that she was 100% on my side, and always would be no matter what.

Then after I left school, did her masters in nursing, became an independent prescriber and a band 8. Now works in general practice and is not far off doing the gps job. Also took up yoga, did yoga teacher training and went to India to study it in the himalayas.

While all of this was going on, she has been a fabulous mum, a fantastic friend, especially to a particular friend of hers who really needed someone to lean on. Is a staunch anti bullying advocate and has tackled bullying in all of her nhs jobs, including defending colleagues who have been on the receiving end of bullying. Kept her garden beautiful, pursued the creative things she loves, been a supportive grandparent, helped me get out of my own abusive relationship and back on my own two feet, and generally just been a genuine force for good in the life of every good person she's met, and a total thorn in the side of all the bullies, hypocrites and cruel people she's dealt with.

She's bloody amazing, quite frankly, and if I end up half the woman she is I'll be happy.

Katie Piper. Horrendous act of violence against her that was life changing. She got up and got out and started a charity to support other burns victims. Beautiful inside and out. What a gal she is!

WHAT??

Was that today? Will track it down and listen! Thanks!

My mum and a number of friends and women I've worked with.

Sure, no worries.

You cut out several sentences and paragraph breaks, and tried to make two distinct parts of my post seem like they were part of the same sentence.

That'll be where you got confused. HTH.

I'm not confused. I'm not the one whose brain thought it was reasonable to ping from IWD to "let's not forget the men!". And then create a post about it it, on MN of all places.

I think last week (catching up!). The book she (Joan Smith) is releasing on it is called "Unfortunately, she was a nymphomaniac" - now on my Audible list!

*NordicwithTeen * thank you!

So many, but JK Rowling, Germaine Greer, Gisele Pelicot and a friend at work, who survived horrific DV, brought up her four children alone, initially in real poverty, worked like a dog, got her degrees and carved out a brilliant career.

Jess Phillips read out the name of a 16 year old boy when paying tribute to murdered women. That doesn’t meet my definition of smart, sorry.

In answer to the OP, my first thought was J K Rowling for setting up Beira’s place and standing up for women and children.

She does a lot of charity work too.

Celia Hammond.

Gave up being a successful model, appear ion the cover of Vogue several times, to care for cats and other other animals .

Same for me, great post 👏