Emma Pritchard
Last week, the Clarence Valley Independent conducted a street survey in the lead up to International Women’s Day on March 7.
We spent time chatting with participants and asked them to share some stories about inspirational women in their lives…
Alan Tesnovich: My paternal great-grandmother adopted my dad and three uncles after they lost their parents, and she raised them as her own along with another two children she had previously adopted. I never met her, but my dad always told me stories about her when I was growing up, and they always resonated with me. She was a woman who had very little finances, no formal education or skillset, yet she reared six children between the ages of seven and one, and she gave them the best of everything she had. She’s definitely the reason why the next generations to follow in my family are all extremely kind, caring, and compassionate, because that’s her legacy. If she had not taken in my dad, my uncles, or my adopted aunts, none of us would be here today, living freely, and doing what we love. She will always be a big inspiration to me.
Marti Ferrado: There are so many inspirational women in my life. There’s my nan, my mum, and my sisters and my partner. They’re all so incredible. They’re supporting and accepting of everyone and everything around them, and I think growing up as part of such a strong, inclusive, female orientated dynasty, it’s really shaped me and defined me. I’ll always be thankful to the women in my family for helping me to be the most authentic version of myself, and that’s something I’ll definitely be celebrating on International Women’s Day this year.
Les Charleston: My mum had a pretty tough upbringing, and she didn’t have the happiest of marriages with my father either, but she always made sure that growing up, I was safe and happy, and most importantly, that I was loved. As a father of two adult daughters, I’ve always looked to my mum for guidance and inspiration. And I’m extremely proud when I say I see her spirit in my two girls every time I look at them, and I’ll forever be thankful to my mum for that. Women like her should be celebrated every day.
Shayyha Tharn: I think all women are inspirational, and girl power has come a long way through the years to help break down barriers and social stigmas in a male-dominated world as we move towards a more inclusive, safe, and respectful world for women everywhere.