My Daughter

My daughter Rachel lifts me up. She suffers from social anxiety, she is a special education student, and she is on the autism spectrum. She shows me every day what it means to persevere. She struggles, but she succeeds in ways we questioned would ever be possible. She’s my HERO!

Louise Slaughter

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter! She instilled in me the right to speak your truth! 

My Mother

My mom. She raised my brothers and I on her own. She gives me the inspiration I need to make an impact.

Olive mcCue

Olive McCue, the original director of Mercury Ballet. She told a class of 6 year old girls, dance creates joy no matter how low or bad we felt.

Pam Klainer

She was a founding member of the WFGV, which led to my involvement.

Courtney Burke

She gave me a voice to move change across the state of New York. 

My Mom

My mom lifts me up everyday by being present and positive and extremely supportive. It is also my goal to lift up my 8 year old cousin, and be an influential female role model for her, who is growing up in a house with two brothers.
- Maya Labuhn

My sister

The best way I can describe her is as the embodiment of the word ‘ambition’. She showed me what it means to work hard and motivate yourself. - Ayesha Patel 

My older sisters: Campbell & Delia

They inspire me to be better, work harder, and aim higher. They have been my role models and biggest supporters. They always tell me what I need to hear. 

Tiera Tanksley

Tiera Tanksley used to teach my Sunday School class. She didn’t come from a wealthy background, yet she always cherished every moment she could. Her diligence and work ethic has inspired me. Now she has her PhD from UCLA. - Noriah Parris 

Alice Geerkelsey

Alice Geerkelsey, my grandmother, children’s book author. She demonstrated that women could do anything. She graduated from college in 1918 (Mt Holyoke College) and inspired me to go there too. - Patricia E Gallacher, Ret. Family Court Judge

My daughter and wife

She was born with a heart defect, which doctors were able to correct. She suffered greatly but she and her mother never ceased to be strong and amazing people. 

My mother

She was a stay-at-home mom, but was still always considered one of the hardest workers in the family. She taught me strength, perseverance, and the family values I am trying to build in my own family now. Forever grateful <3

Franscine Steba

She was my college advisor. She gave me valuable lessons about working in the professional world as a woman. She really proved a woman can do just as much and make an impact.

Gianni White

She is a real inspiration to who
I am growing to be.

Rachel Stuckey

She took me under her wing at a new job. She made sure I met the right people, knew how to excel, and included me in a women’s book club.

My mother

With only a 9th grade education under her belt she has taught me what hard work and dedication can do. She is currently owner of a 4 Million dollar company in Colorado. She is an inspiration! - Jennifer Hungate

my birth mother

The woman who has lifted me up I've never met— my birth mother. She made the decision to provide me with a better life than she could, not an easy decision. I’m forever grateful to her! 
- Kim Gaylord 

Aunt Carol

She was an amazingly strong career-minded single mom. She gave the best advice.

My mom

She said that love has to be unconditional, expectations unique to every person, and limits (rules/boundaries) equal a healthy start to a good human being. Love + Expectations + Limits = a healthy start to a good human being.

My mother, grandmother,
and aunts

have always been strong, powerful role models that encouraged and inspired me to be strong and independent.

Amy Mainzer

Amy is principal investigator on an experiment to identify potentially hazardous asteroids and comets before they strike earth. Against many difficulties since 2006 she has prevailed—and now this mission will fly.

Alexandra Ghaly, my mother.

My Cousin

My cousin Jen has been a mentor and support system. - Audrey Wackerman

My mother and two aunts.

I was raised by a single mother, who at 27 years old lost her own mother, and at 28 had me, while being there for her teenage brothers. Together with my aunts, they made sure I had a full, supported, and empowered upbringing. I continue to look up to all three of them.
- Alyssa Belasco

My Sister Audrey

For everything she has done for others and myself. My mother, for raising us the best way she could, instilling in all of us an incredible work ethic, and appreciation to help those less fortunate than us.

My mom, Lori.

She is always there for me and had empowered me to be the best me all the time.
- Karly Marshall

Christina Scweitzer

Christina lifted me up from the age of twelve. She opened my world, saw my potential, and guided me during a difficult time.

My grandmother, Anne McDonald

Who raised five girls in the 60s-70s after my grandfather passed away. She never had a driver’s license and raised a nurse, lawyer, speech pathologist, teacher, and medical tech at a time when women were not supported. 

Ellen Wurzer

She was a single mother of three, the men she had in her life were not the best role models. She was the one to take care of us, guide us, and encourage us to be good humans, be independent, and be friendly and helpful to all.

Shani Curry Mitchell

For running a powerful campaign against Sandra Dorley despite the odds and for not giving up. Her message inspires me as an attorney.

My Grandma

she taught me love and to be willing to make a difference in everyone's life. She taught me to give and most importantly to stay positive. Rest peacefully Grandma. - Julia Woods

Maureen Welch

She lifted me up when I transitioned from a career in marketing to becoming a school teacher. She was a supporter, champion, and encouraged me to go back to school and accomplish my dreams. - Christina Pearson

My mom

Somehow, as a baby and young child, she survived the holocaust and came to the US— worked, accepted food stamps, and made a positive and successful life for herself and her family. She’s a fighter and taught me to keep going. - Adrienne Markus

My mother

As a mother of three girls, who are now women, she has lifted us and been a shining example for the way she has lifted herself and those around her.

My mother, Marybeth Abramson

My bosses, Kathy Reed and Laura Garrison.
My TRIBE!

My mom

She taught me that I can be whoever I want and accomplish whatever I dream. I am not limited. She’s a fighter, and so am I. - Jessica Bull (Mechanical Engineer)

Lynn Howland, my mom

She has inspired me to make changes. To love my children and do for them things she never had the opportunity to do for me and my sisters. To inspire others, to treat others as you want to be treated, and that one person can make a difference. - Enjoli Lyon

Mrs. Shermon Somone.

A women from jail ministries who helped me know that I can live OUTSIDE of jail. My name is Lanisha Harris and being able to start my life over is a must.

Stephanie Dohr McGann

My younger sister who died from brain cancer four years ago, whose love and guidance continues to lift me and my family up every day from heaven - Peter Dohr

Ms Vernetta Johnson

Mrs. Johnson was my physical ed teacher in middle school and also my after school dance (tap) teacher. She gave me the confidence to love myself, to be a teacher, and how to carry myself as a young woman in the community.

My grandmother, babička (in Czech)

She paid for my college education and although she had little education herself encouraged all members of our family to get an education.

Sylvia Kerber

The woman who lifted herself out of a fractured home and created the strong foundation that allowed me to know I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

My Mother-in-Law

My mother-in-law, she always wanted you to be your best and was a women’s woman. So many words of advice. Not enough room.

Cindy & Gale

My mom & Aunt taught me the beauty and joy of dance and art which lift my spirit everyday!

My friend

She helped me through a difficult year. From start to finish, she was there through my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I wouldn’t have made it through the year without her!

My daughter-in-law

At 33 she’s a breast cancer survivor and faces each day with humor and grace. She is my hero and I am there for her every day.

My mother

She’s always supported me and stood by my side. I am who I am today because of her.

My mom

Her dedication to her family, her generous giving heart, and her community activism. There was always a place in her kitchen and a plate of food to share.

My mother

She was the most resilient, creative, and loving woman. “The wind beneath my wings”

My mother

She struggled with mental illness for much of her life, but she was proud of me.