It’s International Women’s Day, so I wanted to take some time to reflect on some incredible female inspirations and role models in my life. I could write novels about each one, but here’s a quick bit for each and how they’ve shaped me into the person I am today. Give them a like, follow, or take a second to reflect on who has shaped you. It takes a tribe to be an awesome and successful woman so reach out and appreciate your tribe today. They deserve to hear it.
Namie-
Oh Namie, she was truly a Saint. I was recently told by my parents that they think my creativity and knack for writing came from my Namie and it truly made me shed some happy tears. If I can be half of the woman that my Namie was I would be forever grateful. She was an incredible woman. She always wore a jangly bracelet that had all of us on it with our birthdays so she’d “have us close”. She gave the best hand rubs. Her crepes were second to none. She would crochet us afghans and there’s no doubt every member of the family has 3-4 around at any given time. When she was young she had Polio, but that didn’t stop her from doing anything. She raised 6 kids, helped Papa run the store, was the editor of the Fish Wrapper a local paper, and was very active in the church. One of my all time favorite stories that my dad tells is when they were kids on Sunday’s she would get everyone dressed and ready for church and out the door, then she’d fill her coffee cup and just sit at the kitchen table for a few minutes and enjoy the quiet. Papa would undoubtedly be honking his horn in the background, but she always took a few minutes to herself. She lived with such grace and purpose and never took anything for granted and I miss her for that everyday.
Megan Gaffney-
From being my always big sister. We grew up side by side. She is now a wife, mother to three amazing girls, and a business woman. She does it all.
Growing up I was always her shadow, probably much to her demise, we were always together. She took me to hang out with her cool high school friends when I was in elementary school. She took me on drives and we’d sing along to the radio. She passed on her baby blanket to me and it is still one of my most cherished possessions. I followed in her footsteps to college at St. Ben’s and I someday hope to make as much of an impact in the business world as she does.
Check out her newest adventure here-
Mom-
My mom is pretty darn awesome. She decided when I was in high school that she wanted to go back to college and get her degree and she did just that. She worked full time, attended countless swim meets and school events, tutoring sessions, and took night classes all at the same time. Now she is the food service director at a charter school that she truly loves. She makes the best baked goods on the face of the earth and can often be found in the kitchen at home on the weekends whipping up some sort of tasty treat. She has always been my biggest advocate and although we don’t often agree on much, especially when it comes to driving or directions, because we are both quite stubborn I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Rachel Hollis-
From helping me find my voice, embracing the suck and moving on from difficult times, and teaching me about the importance of gratitude practice. This woman is amazing.
Check this out and find out why.
Mary Bruno-
From the small town of St. Joseph, MN I first met Mary in my college drinking days at the Middy. (That’s a whole different set of stories) I quickly learned that Mary was a HUGE advocate in the community, owns a business, has a side hustle, has badass style, and likes to lift heavy things like me. Her artwork is amazing. She is just so cool and she gives no F’s about anything which makes her even more cool. You don’t like what she does, then move along because she’s going to keep doing it.
Check out her amazing art here-
Sister Pat-
Entering college I was not a religious being...like at all...I still wouldn’t call myself a super religious person. But for some reason I applied my freshmen year to have a Benedictine friend where you get paired with a nun to hang out with a few times a year. I will forever be incredibly grateful that I got to spend my four years doing things and talking with her. We did everything from monthly coffee dates, she made dinner for us during finals week without fail every semester, and made cards for every occasion. She is such a giving, kind, and selfless person always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand. She also makes the BEST vegetarian chili on the face of the earth and I will forever want the secret recipe.
Julia Child-
Namie and Papa gave me a first edition of her cookbook and for two summers in a row I made dinners from that cookbook for my parents and grandparents. Those Sunday night dinners will be cherished in my heart forever. She seriously paved the way for so many female authors, chefs, and females of the time. And her recipes are seriously to die for.
Christine-
The woman who came into my life at the hardest/lowest point and I am thankful everyday that I found her...well, google found her, but I am glad that I dragged myself into her office that January day. She will tell you first hand that I didn’t want to be there and the first few weeks were really hard. She opened up to me and now I call her a friend over my therapist. I look forward to our sessions together and her insight on all of the things happening in this crazy life of mine.
Thank you for being YOU and inspiring a tribe much greater than you know.
Cheers to International Women's Day!
Catherine
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