Emma Pritchard
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the Clarence Valley Independent went out into the community and asked, “who is the most inspiring woman you know and why?”
Laurell Devou-Kettering: I think all women are equally incredible and inspirational. Together, we have united to break down so many social barriers in the male-dominated field. We’ve combined to smash stigmas that needed to be smashed. Women now have the right to vote, enter politics, go to university, further their careers outside the kitchens and family homes, and challenge sexism and gender discrimination. I feel so blessed to be a modern woman in 2023, and every woman past, present, and emerging should be celebrated on International Women’s Day.
Merritt Iona: My mum is the most inspirational woman I know because she always takes care of me and my brother, even when she’s sick, and she does everything for us.
Michele Sims: I think you’d be hard pressed to find a woman more inspiring than former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty. How she turned a devastating family tragedy, where she lost her son, into a positive campaign platform to raise awareness of domestic violence, is remarkable, and so brave. She definitely inspires me to be a better mum and to be as protective as I can of my children, even though they’re both over 30 now and they keep reminding me they’re adults too.
Zahlia Logan: I’m inspired by my mum and my grandma. They’re always teaching me things like how to cook new recipes. They also tell me to never let people bully me, and to stand up for what I believe in.
Danielle Toussaint: I really love the Royal Family, and I just feel so inspired every time I see images of Kate Middleton (Princess of Wales). She is such a quality woman. Even though she’s a royal, she’s so spirited and down to earth, and she does so much work for charities and to help people in need. I think more people should definitely take inspiration from her.
Charlotte Harvey: I’ve always considered singers like Adele and Beyonce to be inspirational women because they’re such powerhouse performers and they use their platforms to motivate other people to do good things.
Kodene Walker: A lot of women in my family work in the healthcare industry, and they are all inspiring. They all show their patients so much empathy and compassion, and they all worked right through the Covid-19 pandemic with so much dignity and determination. I’m really proud of them.