An Ode To A Woman Who Inspires Me
From my amazing mother to the ambitious women I see on television, to the vocal, unwavering women on social media, and my norm-breaking family members, women both far and near have always inspired me. In a society that always dictates what and how a woman should be, it is refreshing seeing women doing what they want, regardless.
“Go after what you want, reach the heights you want to reach”, my mother said to me in 2020. I had been second guessing myself about applying for a top program at a top university in England. Not once did she make me doubt that I had the capability to get into the program. My mother’s kind, adventurous, nature-loving, impact-driven, hardworking, opinionated, resilient self has always been there to inspire me to not only pursue my goals but also remain kind and honest while doing so – “the end does not always justify the means”.
“Look, I won’t tell you it’s been easy, but I have peace in that I do not have to financially depend on anyone, especially a man”, Aunty D said to me a couple of years back. Aunty D, my much older cousin had lived with me when I was younger and while she was still in the university, so we had a very close relationship. I had always looked up to her as she was such an intelligent, wholesome person. At almost 45 and unmarried, a ‘taboo’ in the Nigerian society, she shut out the noise, kept her head up and has achieved her own definition of success. Aunty D inspires me to do two key things – (1.) Block out the noise from society telling what you can and can’t do and (2.) To not let anyone that is not important put any pressure on you
“We need to speak up more when we are uncomfortable, suffering in silence does not help you”, my manager said to me last year. I had complained to her about what was happening in my project at the time, and she told me flat out that I internalize things a lot. She said it was okay to voice out my discomfort, I heard her, but I didn’t particularly understand it until she showed me what she meant. To see her speak her truth so fiercely and confidently made me understand that I had to not only speak up but also project more confidence. Women are often spoken over but not this woman and most recently, not me.
“In the end, what is left behind is your legacy, what you did while you were here”, I randomly saw a woman post this on social media, and it has stuck with me till this day. I had always had a heart for giving back and giving to people that were in need, but this string of letters inspired me to do and not just hope to do. As I ponder on it, I hope to continuously be inspired to give.
For me, being inspired means that you have been moved to act. I hope we take a look around us and feel inspired by all kinds of women – some referred to as powerful, some as ‘average’, others as ‘rebels’ – like I have.