Billie Jean King, Barbara Walters, Madelene Albright just to name a few.  Wish Albright could have run for President, she would have made a great one.

I also have to nominate Ruth Beta Ginsberg.  She has done an amazing job on the Supreme court and championed the issues of women.  He fight against cancer is also inspirational as is her dedication and gusto to keep going in the job she loves.

It’s a toss up - Gloria Steinem & Oprah

And when it comes to glass ceilings it is Hillary.

They have each contributed to women everywhere.

Naomi Klein has my nomination for her courage in speaking out against corporations in her book "No Logo".  Exposing Nike and their exploiting workers in the world’s poorest countries in pursuit of profits.

I would love to be a shadow in Oprah’s live for just one day.  She is an amazing woman and person. Oprah stands for diversity & justice, for the poor and hungry, for the young and old. Oprah has worked hard to be where is today. She knows what it is like to be hungry and to want what toys and such things. Oprah is real. Oprah is a true inspiration to young people. They can truly break the through the “Glass ceiling”. 

 

My daughters are a true inspiration to me as well. Their sister died suddenly when they were 10 years old. They have aspired to use this experience to help others instead of feeling sorry for themselves.  One vowed to become a nurse. Today she has her BSN. The other is going to become a Social Worker. Together they want to open a grief center in our area for children who have lost siblings, parents to death either sudden or from a long illness or are from broken families. They feel from their experience there is a tremendous need for children to be able to share their feelings with others who have been in the same situation.

I know the question was about a living woman, but, frankly, though there are many admirable ones, and I don’t refer only to those who promote women’s interests, there is only one American woman who gained my respect and admiration, Eleanor Roosevelt, who recreated her life in middle age, when marriage, beauty, everything most held as valuable were irrelevant to this brave and bright woman. In high school as the editor of our newspaper, I interviewed her when she addressed  us at a conference; unfortunately, I didn’t ask her the questions I wanted to, only those suitable for printing in our newspaper. Her life, career, intelligence, independence, insights, and generosity of spirit are examples of overcoming the barriers of privilege and fame; she struck out on her own to claim her fame. Is there anyone who can be compared to her today or ever!

1.My daughter has had the most impact on my life, starting when she was born. She changed me. I am an only child and I really didn’t have anyone to really care about but myself. Of course you care about your family, but I mean to worry about what to do, where to go. When she came along I had a little someone to care about and put all of the things that I had learned (or not) from my Mom into her. She turned out to be such a great young woman, she is a professional, a great wife and a caring mother. I am so proud to know and love her.

2. Maya Angelou: what can I say.. intelligent and strong. Truly the real meaning of a Phenomenal Woman.

My grandmother, Francella, who raised me is the woman who has had the greatest impact on my life.  She gave me self-esteem and told me I could be anything I wanted.  I believed her and that gave me the strength to reach for the stars.  In my nine separate careers she is always with me encouraging me to go fot it.  I owe her my success, and miss her, as she crossed over decades ago.  No one else has filled her shoes so far.

Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Elizabeth Dole, Condoleezza Rice

Sr. Mary Imelda, 7th grade, who taught me I could do anything I set my mind to.  Parsing verbs, diagramming a sentence, writing a poem….she convinced me I could do it, and I could be good at it.

I thought she was tough and mean.  But I later realized she was just tough.  And determined no child would leave her class without learning everything she had to teach.

I LOVE YOU, Sister Emelda!

I have to go with Mechelle Obama. It is said behind every great man is a great woman and she has played such a huge role in bringing this awesome new leader to our country. The current 1st family makes me once again proud to be an American. The previous 8 years were pretty "iffy".

Many women have impacted my life, but the greatest impact came recently, after reading about Frances Perkins, the woman behind the New Deal.  Ms. Perkins brought us limited work hours, child labor laws, social security, work place safety standards and many other social programs that we take for granted today.  Sad to say that I had never heard of her until this year.  She was the first female Cabinet Member and first female Labor Secretary in the U.S. and was FDR’s right-hand-woman in the White House.  As head of the Immigration Department, she was instrumental in allowing many European Jews to come to America during the 30’s and 40’s, saving thousands of lives.  She’s my pick for having the greatest impact on me and many other Americans.

 Cecilia