Wonder Women

I like to believe I’m fabulous- but I also like to think that I’m 5’9 and built like an Amazon (which is far, FAR from true).  When I’m feeling less than fabulous there are certain women I look to and pull inspiration from.

 

1. JK Rowling

The author of Harry Potter has been regarded as one of the most successful authors of our generation. I grew up reading Harry Potter and as they grew up in the movies, I was just a little bit older than them every step of the way. Regardless of her success as an author, which in and of it is inspiring, what stood out to me was her rags to riches story.

Rowling was a mother who had suffered a terrible marriage, where it was speculated she had been domestically abused. She divorced her husband and had to fend for her child with little to no income. Through it all she dreamt up Harry Potter and after being rejected from multiple publishing houses she was finally published – and she skyrocketed from there.

2. Ellen DeGeneres

In 1997 DeGeneres came out as a lesbian. She is now known as one of the first and most popular lesbians in entertainment.  This bravery was inspiring.  As a woman in entertainment, DeGeneres already received endless scrutiny.
The bravado that she must have had to come out when homosexuality was still somewhat taboo in the entertainment industry is why she is one of my role models. To stand up for not only what you believe is right, but also to fully own whom you are and know that there is nothing wrong with that is stirring. DeGeneres has her own television talk show and at the end of every episode she reminds us to ‘be kind to one another’, and that simple saying is so easily forgotten.

3. Beyoncé

I should not even have to defend why this superstar is one of my role models. But if you have been living under a rock – then I will explain. Before Beyoncé was Beyoncé, she was 1 of 3 Destiny’s Child members (well first 1 of 4, but that drama is for you to Google on your own).  When she broke away from them, her father managed her for many years. As she grew she entered a relationship with a man, known to some as Jay-Z, but this relationship was kept under wraps and was not publicized for a long time.

As Beyoncé grew into a women and then eventually a wife, she broke away from her father and ultimately managed herself. When Queen Bey performs, she has a full women musical ensemble that supports her. Aside from her accomplishments, as a woman Beyoncé has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She has never given into public scrutiny to either give away too much information about her personal life, or sacrifice her spiritual beliefs and family values.

 

 

4. Last but not least, my mother

But this story, I’m sure, resonates with many of you…

 

 

I watched a documentary one time that stated that if girls do not have women of their own race to look up to than they will not be able to imagine success for themselves, because they cannot see it. I think this theory, although debatable, is somewhat false. I am an first generation Indian American and there are almost no successful Indian women in America for me to look up to.

But why concentrate so much on race, when any women’s success should be every women’s success.