INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: MY MOST INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN FROM EACH DECADE IN THE LAST 100 YEARS

Happy International Women’s Day! I wanted to take today’s blog post and make it all about some of the women of the world who are my inspirations. This isn’t my idea. I actually saw this on a recent blog post I read and commented on, and also on a post from Marie Claire magazine.
 
Please go check out the original post from Hannah Mary! She posted about her most inspirational women television characters. Check it out here: https://hanmwill.com/inspiring-women-tv-edition.
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Today, I want to focus on some of the women who inspire me, real or fictional, from the last 100 years.

1910 - WINIFRED BANKS, FICTIONAL CHARACTER

This one is kind of old school, but I love Winifred Banks, the mother from the original Mary Poppins movie. She is a very strong voice for women’s voting rights and women’s rights in general. I just love her attitude.

1920 – HELEN KELLER, DISABILITY ACTIVIST

​Helen Keller lost both her sight and her hearing in 1882. At such a young age, Keller was instructed on how to live a normal life with a disability.

She went on to graduate college in 1904.

​In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, which has since helped fight for equal rights for both women and for people of color!

1930 – ZORA NEALE HURSTON, WRITER

In 1937, Zora Neale Hurston wrote one of my favorite books, Their Eyes Were Watching God. She collaborated with Langston Hughes for a play that was never finished.

​She also served as a faculty member for the now North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., my home state.

I have a soft spot in my heart for writers, and Hurston really paved the way for other African-American writers to be recognized for their scholastic and academic achievements!

1940 – ANNE FRANK & MIEP GIES, WWII ICONS

​Image living in a small, cramped attic with your entire family and another family to escape a dictator who was out to kill you for something you couldn’t change. Anne Frank remained extraordinarily child-like in such a hard time.

They were hidden by Miep Gies, a non-Jewish woman who helped to hide the Franks from Nazi soldiers. It took so much courage from both of these women, but only one escaped with her life.

​Miep is featured in one of my favorite movies “The Freedom Writers.”

1950 - ROSA PARKS, CIVIL RIGHTS ICON

​I can’t imagine how scary it was for Mrs. Parks to sit down in the front of a bus surrounded by men and women who were willing to do just about anything against people of color. But, when you've had enough, you've had enough! Parks serves as an inspiration to so many, including myself. It took real guts to do what she did!

1960 – SKEETER PHELAN, FICTIONAL CHARACTER

​Skeeter Phelan, played by Emma Stone, is an aspiring writer who decides to work with African-American house workers to uncover the reality of their every-day lives. While Skeeter isn’t one of my favorites of the movie (I fancy Minny Jackson, myself), I identify with her. I’m a writer and I was a journalist for a while. 

1970 – GLORIA STEINEM, JOURNALIST

​As I’ve mentioned, I have a soft spot in my heart for journalists and writers, particularly ones that are motivated to expose wrong in the world. She went undercover as a PlayBoy club bunny in 1963. She is a champion of women’s rights and event helped form the National Women’s Political Caucus. I don’t agree with absolutely everything she stands for, but I love her persistence and opinion!

1980 – MATILDA, FICTIONAL CHARACTER

​I can’t actually imagine a life without watching Matilda make magic while staying positive under the roof of an emotionally-abusive family. I really love how brave Matilda is and I think she taught the children of that generation that it is OK to be brave and speak out. Being little doesn’t discount you!

1990 - SELENA QUINTANILLA, SINGER/WRITER

​I don’t know about you, but Selena captured my heart when I learned about her during a project in my high school Spanish class.

Selena was a talented singer/songwriter and fashion designer. Although she couldn’t speak Spanish fluently at first, but she overcame her challenges to become the “Queen of Tejano Music.”

​She was sadly murdered by the founder of her fan club after questions involving money fraud were addressed. 

2000 – J.K ROWLING, AUTHOR

​While Rowling began publishing the Harry Potter book series at the end of the 1990s, I think it is fair to say that much of her work was recognized in the 2000s.

She has openly spoken about her struggle to get published and has been an advocate for everyone to follow their dreams, despite any rejection letters they may receive.

She gives hope to a ton of young writers and encourages them to pursue their passion!

PRESENT - SUSAN ISAAC, MOTHER

​This is my mom! She is without a doubt one of the most inspirational women in my life. I have a blog collaboration I recently did with my friend from Gratisoul.com!
 
To put it plainly and in simple terms as to not overshadow my collaboration post, my mom raised my brother and I as a single mother, and she always made a point to go the extra mile every holiday to make my brother and I feel so loved. If you’re reading this, I love you mom!

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LEGAL: All images were taken from Google's "Free to use or share, even commercially," filter. The last picture is one of my mother, which she does not mind me using. The first picture is taken from Giphy.