Inspired Women, Inspire Women- The Women!
Part 2 of my blog on women who inspire women.
We all have women in our lives who have impacted us great and small.
Some were early arrivals from our childhoods, some stayed, and some moved on. I am very fortunate that I still have a posse of very good friends from my school days. We intentionally meet up every few years to spend time together and catch up. There is a bond that never breaks and when we’re together time slips away.
Other friends come at different times; our 20’s, 30’s, 40’s. 50’s and beyond. Again, some of these friendships last a season, a time in our lives where we have much in common and then our lives move on. Come again, many remain throughout our lives.
Friends enrich our lives. They challenge us, encourage us, fill those spaces with camaraderie and affection. Some come as teachers, students, comforters, darers, confidants, and supporters. Whichever form, they are in our lives for a reason and purpose. I have always treasured my friendships and embrace the opportunity to make new friends. I value our differences and see where we are alike.
I want to introduce you to a few of the women who are my friends and have impacted me. What they have in common is their passion and their heart of service to others. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me!
Kiersten-
We have been friends going on 10 years. From the day we met I felt a connection. Kiersten (or Kiki) is warm and welcoming the moment you meet her. She looks you in the eye and genuinely wants to know who you are. Her passion is in elder care. She holds a Master of Science in Gerontology, is President and COO of her company and sits on the board of one of our hospitals here in Vancouver, Wa.
Kiersten has accomplished all these feats while raising 3 beautiful children. You would think with a busy life like hers she wouldn’t have time for friends. Not true, she knows the benefits and rewards of serving her friends, and she spends quality time with them, it is apparent in the many friendships she has in her life.
True-
This is Kiersten’s amazing daughter. True is what I call an “old soul” wiser beyond her years. Sometimes her thoughtful reflections just blow me away and I think “why didn’t I think of that?” She is accomplished in spoken word, makes beautiful art, and loves to create the coolest videos with her friends. Like her mom she values her friendships, is discerning with the people she choses to hang out with. She looks for qualities of kindness and compassion - I think that is what really inspires me, she holds those values above what the world tells her is important. Watching her grow into the young woman she is and is becoming is a delight. I know her future is bright!
Amanda-
What inspires me about Amanda? What doesn’t inspire me is more like it! Multi-Talented is the best way to describe this her. She is an accomplished photographer, videographer, movie director, actor, writer, and brand marketer. I’m sure I missed other roles but suffice it to say she is a wealth of knowledge and experience. And she shares it all. Amanda loves helping others and is always willing to share and help people along. I learned early on that she loves meeting people and getting to know them and connect them with other people- she is a Connector!
She has other loves and hobbies -especially gardening. I’m always grateful in the summer and fall when I get to benefit from the fruits of her labor. Amanda cares for not only her husband and son, (and now daughter-in-law) she also cares for her in-laws too. Her heart is big!
Diana-
I met Diana through Amanda and the three of us started our early (think 5:50-6:30 am) morning walks over two years ago and I quickly became her friend. Her compassion for others sets her apart, she is full of talent and is so humble. I was inspired when I heard her story of going back to design school in her forties to get her degree in Apparel Design. Diana owns a costume shop here in Vancouver and it is unlike any other you will find. What sets her apart is she makes her costumes or takes what is already there and creates an authentic product specific to the era or genre of the item. She is devoted to her husband and the home they’ve created with their dog and duckies.
Diana has a great big dream for her costume shop, to move to a much larger space that will not only better serve her clients but also her community. I am excited to be a part of her journey as I watch her dreams come true.
Cindy-
Ever have a friend who just makes you laugh? That is my friend Cindy. We’ve known each other for over 10 years now and we still share laughs and appreciate each other’s sense of humor. She has raised two lovely human beings. A few years ago, she and her family sold their company, she moved and started pursuing her dream of speaking another language. She learned Spanish this past summer and spent a couple of months in Mexico immersed in the language. I admire her courage to make changes in her life that are true to her. She has done it with grace, integrity, and honesty. Cindy serves others in so many ways and is always open and willing to help those around her.
Rebecca-
Otherwise known as Becca. This girl inspires me so. She is a mom of three who went back to college a few years ago for her degree in personal training to pursue her dream. Always one up for an adventure she loves to travel. After graduation her husband gifted her a trip to Bolivia to visit her aunt for three weeks, she embraced the culture and came home with a love of South America and its people. Becca makes friends wherever she goes, she connects with people on a deep level. I admire her intuition and discernment. She is humble, full of grace, she quietly serves and is always willing to help when needed while honoring herself and family putting her priorities in the right places.
Emily-
Creative, Artist, Jewelry Designer. Emily created her own line of jewelry a few years back and watching her journey has been an inspiration and delight. I am a big fan and proud owner of several of her pieces and love to showcase her designs whenever possible. Pursuing your dreams takes courage, failures, and perseverance. Emily has all these qualities and more. She too is service oriented and her avocation in helping others always inspires and teaches me lessons. Emily has built a wonderful support system; her business is thriving, and she continues to experiment and expand.
Bernadean-
Powerhouse! Don’t let size fool you Bernadean (Bern) does it all! She is a business owner, wife, mother, grandmother, farmer- gardens, chickens, horses etc. And she is the head of women’s ministries, and guest services (welcome center, coffee shop, auditorium) at her church. That leadership position alone is a full-time job and I marvel as to how she does it. What she does well is she empowers the women around her. She empowers women to take on leadership roles, encourages and corrects with love and grace. Her heart, and her capacity to love others- You just want to be in her presence all the time. This is her and her granddaughter Elana.
Elana-
A powerhouse on her own and following in Bern’s footsteps. She is an accomplished singer and serves in children’s ministries in her church. Already a leader I cannot wait to see what is in store for this phenomenal young woman.
Ashley-
The creator and founder of Inspired Women, Inspire Women. We haven’t been friends for long, but you just know you like them when you “click.” Ashley comes from a strong line of women; she is proud of her heritage and is passing it along to her children. Her girls and to her son. She embodies self-respect, women empowerment and teaches her children to love themselves for who they are and not anyone else’s idea of who they should be. She is a true entrepreneur running several successful businesses all the while looking for ways to bring women along. I admire her and her accomplishments.
There they are! These women are my heroes and role models, and the right role model can be very inspirational.
They are all very different and yet so alike. They all serve others, they are all uniquely authentic, they all have confidence in who they are, and they ALL have Style!
“People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves.”
~Tyron Edwards
Have a Styling Day!
XOXO