Inspirational Women – Grace’s Story

Being a young woman growing up in this current day and age meant I had to rely heavily on strong, inspirational women to guide me and help me grow up. I have looked up to many famous influential female figures over the years, including Jess Ennis, and Emma Raducanu. However, whilst these women have achieved amazing things, and have inspired a whole generation of women, I believe that my most inspirational figures have come from those closest to my heart. They have had a more personal touch on my life and on my nature, as they have helped to guide me through this big, scary, crazy world.

I can now finally appreciate all the big – and little – things that my mum did for me

My mum and my nan have to be the most inspirational women I know. They have taught me the fundamental learnings in life, and have really shaped me into being the woman I am now. My mum is a strong, dedicated, and hardworking woman who was very successful, and has raised a beautiful and lovely family. I aspire to be like her in so many ways, because she has given me everything and more. She has always been there for me, and has never failed me in any way. She always stayed up with me when I was younger and didn’t feel very well, she always made sure my uniform was in pristine condition, and she always checked and helped my homework. My mum constantly puts herself before others, and would do anything for anyone. Now that I am getting older, I can now finally appreciate all the big – and little – things that my mum did for me which I took for granted as a child. My mum gave up her career to have me, so she could watch, and help me grow into the young woman I am now. I have so much respect for my mum for her continuous devotion to me, and her love and support which will never fade. She is my idol and role-model, as there is no one else I would rather be like than her.

She showed me what family meant. She showed me love, compassion, and how to treat other people

However, I believe that she has all of these traits because of the teachings from her mother, my nan. My nan was a force to be reckoned with, and had to be, growing up during WW2 whilst being one of 13 brothers and sisters. My nan, after some of her elder siblings died when she was younger, had to become the eldest sister and help out her mother whilst she was only a child herself. She didn’t get an astounding education because she had to aid her mother with the washing, cleaning, cooking, and all the other mundane household chores. Whilst to some people this sounds like hell, my nan loved it. She loved, and always will love taking care of other people, especially the people that mean most to her. My nan was loved by every single person she met, and she always had a radiant glow about her that could never be dimmed. Even though she had suffered so much in her lifetime, she managed to put all of this behind her and focus on the future and what mattered most to her, her new family. My nan was like a second mum to me, and taught me so many important life lessons that I still remember to this day. Whilst she may not have been the most intellectually gifted woman in the world, she showed me what family meant. She showed me love, compassion, and how to treat other people. She would never be afraid to tell me off if she thought I needed it, as she wanted me to grow into a granddaughter she could be proud of. She wanted me to be a head-strong thinker like her, who was not afraid to stand up for herself. She is, and forever will be, my rock and I will carry her wisdom and words with me throughout my life.

The people I spend every single day with, who have watched my growth, and have had a little part in that process, are my inspirational figures

An inspirational woman doesn’t have to be someone who has achieved the unthinkable, and beaten all the odds. When I was younger, I thought that my idol had to be someone famous who I admired for their accomplishments in life. But as I have grown up, I have realised that whilst these figures are extremely inspirational, they haven’t personally and individually moulded me as a person. The people I spend every single day with, who have watched my growth, and have had a little part in that process, are my inspirational figures. From my Year 5 teacher who taught me that it is OK to make mistakes here and there, to my close immediate family, they are my female inspirational figures who I will never forget.