We have experienced a lot since last March. While we as a nation still have a lot of healing to do, we also have to remember where our strength comes from.
It’s Women’s History Month, and we at Danosky and Associates have taken some time to reflect on some of the inspirational female figures we each look to for strength. Putting together this list of incredible women has given us some time to appreciate how powerful female figures can have a positive impact on our mindset, so we encourage all of our readers to do the same!
Matthew Krumholz: Pauli Murray, the great American lawyer, civil rights icon, women’s rights activist, who was also gender non-conforming. In 1965, she coined the term “Jane Crow” and raised awareness around the overlapping experiences of marginalization faced by women of color.
Susan Rosati: Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg courageously fought for equal rights especially for women, minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. She broke the glass ceiling in so many ways. In her own words, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
Juanita Manning: My grandmother, Lavinia Logan. Strong, determined, intelligent and fearless. In March 1917, a very small boned woman traveled 23 miles on foot each way to the Circuit Court after she and her uncle saved enough money to purchase 34.5 acres of land that their families sharecropped. The original owner passed away after selling them the land, but before giving them the deed. Lavinia discussed the situation with her uncle and decided it best for her to face the southern Circuit Court alone as a black woman due to the racial bias in 1917 that strongly weighed on black men. Lavinia sued the heirs of the original land owner and won. Later that day she then partitioned half of the land to her uncle in the Circuit Court.
Atka: Juanita is one of my favorite people in the world (next to my mom and my other co-workers), so I chose Shirley Anita Chisholm because I have heard Juanita say such great things about her! Shewas an American politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1972 she had the gumption to be the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for President of the United States. Her motto was Unbossed and Unbought.
Sharon Danosky – With a loan from her father-in-law (thereby sacrificing her inheritance), Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, took over her husband’s failing wine business when he tragically passed away six years after they married. She spent several years trying to make it work and nearly went bankrupt three times. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, she had a vision of selling the prize 1811 vintage of champagne to the Russian Tsar, Alexander but there were naval blockades. When the blockades finally lifted, the champagne got to Russia and the Tsar announced it was the only wine he would drink. And so Madame Clicquot grabbed the international marketing crown jewel and the champagne and company she fought so hard to create is celebrated as the second highest selling brand of champagne in the world today.
Casey Crowell: Call me cliché, but the woman I admire and look up to the most is my mom, Wendy. She is the strongest, bravest, kindest, hardest-working, and most amazing mother (and woman) in the world. I am grateful every single day to have been given the best mom, role model, and friend all in one! She shows me the exact woman and mother I can only hope to be someday. My mom is nothing short of a superhero, and I am so lucky to have such a beacon of inspiration in my life. Thank you mom, I owe everything to you!
Jaclyn Gartner: When I think of a woman who inspires, I envision someone who puts others above themselves with the intention of making a difference. I have selected Mother Teresa for that very reason. This charitable figure is the prime example of sacrifice and strength. She inspired the world over with her kind heart, aiding those who needed it most. She is truly an inspiration to all of us.
