Women without children you admire?

[JorisBonson]

Just been bellylaughing at a Kathy Burke podcast and remembered how much I love her. She's gone through life being unashamedly herself and not taking a jot of interest in societal norms. I loved her Channel 4 doc about being a woman.

Also Beth Stern, Howard Stern's wife, who devotes herself to rescuing and rehoming animals.

Dolly Parton. I think her book scheme is a fantastic thing to do.

I don't know if they actively didn't want children or if it didn't happen but I like Ina Garten and Delia Smith.

Great thread!

Frida Kahlo, Harper Lee and ....Dolly Parton. I love Dolly, in every way she's an inspiring woman.

Cross post but 100% agree, a great example that someone can, in fact, be childfree but not hate kids, just like the majority of childfree.

Hilary Mantel. Jane Fallon. Stevie Nicks. Jane Austen. So many...

Definitely Jane Fallon and Ricky. His standup (although close to the bone!) about not having kids is great.

Apologies, I just realised this is Childfree MN. I do have DC! Going away now. Came up on Active.

Not a problem! It's ok if you have children and you post here. It's just that the discussion is not about children. Does that make sense?

Oh, yes. Dolly Parton. She is fab.

And Freya Stark, who explored the Middle East and wrote about it in the most fabulous, vivid way.

Yes, thanks!

Also, Oprah! Though she's not everyone's bag, but she has come a very long way from where she began.

Oprah

Oprah had a child who either died at birth or shortly afterwards. (Just a data point.)

Debbie Harry

Oh:(

Everyone is welcome to post!

That Ricky skit had me belly laughing, from Humanity?

Yep, hysterical!

Kathy Burke

Kim Cattrall who seems like a woman who refuses to be a pushover

So many!
Dolly and Stevie Nicks for sure. Dolly especially has proved not having your own kids doesn’t rob you of the ability to improve the lives of children generally - her book scheme is phenomenal.

I don’t admire her as such but I have the greatest respect for how Jennifer Anniston has handled decades of speculation about her fertility and attitude to children, even now. When armPitt left her for Jolie, the crowing that was done about it being her own fault for refusing Brad his right to have children and AJ being the perfect fecund Earth mother figure and a proper wife was so cruel and vindictive. I couldn’t have handled that level of scrutiny and judgement with that much grace.

I don’t admire her as such but I have the greatest respect for how Jennifer Anniston has handled decades of speculation about her fertility and attitude to children, even now

I was JUST about to come here and say this. In her place I'd have said something unforgivable several times.

Kamala Harris, but the fact that she doesn't have her own children has nothing to do with why I admire her. I think it's a pretty odd thing to look up to someone for and I don't have children myself.

Katharine Hepburn

Brilliant thread.
Theresa May? I’m going to keep thinking….

Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, myself!
Its not that we admire them for not having children, we admire them for their success and character, and the fact that they remained true to themselves and didnt bow to the pressure to have kids if they didn't want them.

I came on to say Kim Cattrall but was beaten to it. Definitely agree with Jennifer Anniston too.