March 2023 www.womanthismonth.com 72 TO INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED In the latest edition of ‘The Things We Don't Say’, Farrah Saville looks at the women she draws inspiration from as a mother this International Women's Day. 1. Oprah Winfrey - Undeniably one of the most inspiring success stories in the world. Her work to build an empire and empower women inspires anyone looking to build a life they love. She has inspired me in many ways. My favourite Oprah quote is, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll have more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough." 2. Greta Thunberg - Through her activism and the #FridaysForFuture movement, Greta has inspired a new generation to take a stand against the global climate crisis. 3. Beyoncé - A talented musician, performer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Beyoncé has been using her voice and artistry to stand up for gender and racial justice. 4. Malala Yousafzai - At the young age of 17, Malala was the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. For my daughter, I can only hope to raise her with the same value for education. 5. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - AOC, as she is widely known, has a vital energy. She is so brave despite being so young and has qualities I would love my daughter to have. 6. Amal Alamuddin - One of the world's most high-profile and celebrated attorneys, Amal Alamuddin has become an international symbol of empowerment and resilience. 7. My mother - She has broken the mould and a few rules to raise her children to be independent and kind. 8. Fatima Meer - Fatima Meer has made tremendous strides in advancing South African race relations. Meer's ability to understand intersectionality before it even became a term inspires me to teach my daughter to look beyond her struggles myopically. 9. Serena Williams – The world-renowned professional tennis player has set an example for many generations, inspiring young women to find the strength and ambition to accomplish their dreams. I hope Williams' strength inspires my daughter. 10. Melanie Perkins – This CEO is the woman behind the design website Canva; she founded the company on her own with zero Silicon Valley connections and is currently worth USD 3.6 billion. On March 8, women worldwide will observe International Women's Day. I say observe because often, it feels like there isn't a lot to celebrate. We look at some of the atrocities against women worldwide, and it feels like what are we celebrating? When I look at my daughter, I ask myself “What world am I raising this young lady in?” There are so many things that women need to consider- safety, how they dress, managing it all by balancing a career and family, growing their careers versus giving up their careers, getting married as the biological clock ticks away - the list is endless. The negativities can be endless, but this month, I choose to celebrate raising a girl and International Woman's Day because, from my personal experiences as a woman, I have found that being a woman is AWESOME and should indeed be celebrated. Here's my list of ten women I am inspired by to help me navigate being a mom, and help my daughter to see reason in a world that can sometimes be difficult. LIFESTYLE | opinion
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