Unless you’re totally off the gird, you know it’s Women’s History Month. I decided to celebrate it by highlighting the women behind Her Campus CUA and asking them: Who influences you most?
Caroline Ware: Anna Wintour
I am a senior marketing major at The Catholic University of America. Along with being a full time student, I am the Co-Founder of Her Campus CUA and work at a popular restaurant in downtown DC. I have always had a love for the way magazines are put together, so Anna Wintour (American Vogue) is the woman I have chosen. Wintour’s honest and demanding personality to get the fashion world on the right track is something I admire. Her opinion is sought after and her style is always starting trends. She will forever rule the magazine and fashion world.
Katherine Baxter: Eppie Friedman Lederer and Popo Friedman Phillips
I am currently a senior at CUA and co-founder of Her Campus CUA. From the moment HC CUA launched, I have tried to channel my inner Eppie and PoPo, twin, Jewish immigrants who wrote the most popular newspaper advice columns in America during the 1950’s- “Ann Landers” and “Ask Abby”. I think of them often when writing or editing articles for HC CUA and try to remember how they spoke honestly about controversial topics while stressing tolerance and acceptance.
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” – Eppie Lederer
“You could move.” — PoPo Phillips, Answer to a reader who complained that a gay couple was moving in across the street and wanted to know what he could do to improve the quality of the neighborhood.
Kelly Henderson: Rebecca Minkoff
I am a current senior at CUA who dreams of making an impact in the fashion world after graduation such as the woman of history I chose, Rebecca Minkoff. Rebecca is a young fashion designer who is making a global impact in the fashion world. Her most recent statement was changing the broken fashion week to have spring fashion shows in the spring and fall fashion shows in the fall. Rebecca’s relentless energy and refusal to abide by the outdated rules of the fashion world is why I chose to highlight her as my choice for this woman in history issue.
Jacqueline Descloux: Emma Watson
I am a senior psychology major with a minor in media & communications studies. I was born and raised in Westchester County, NY. I hold two citizenships with the US and Switzerland. On my father’s side I am Swiss and Scottish and on my mother’s side I am Italian and Austrian.
I picked Emma Watson because stays true to who she is. Emma stands up for what she believes especially in the feminist field. She is not afraid to voice her opinion. Also she has a fun witty personality.
Sydney Galletly: Ellen DeGeneres
I am a senior, studying International Business and originally from Rhode Island. I have a strong passion for traveling in which I will be pursue while backpacking Europe in June. To me, Ellen DeGeneres is an important and influential woman of our time. Through her kindness and charity, she is a role model for many Americans. I think it is very refreshing to have a smart, funny and open-minded individual in our society.
Bri Bee: Shirley Chisholm
I am a senior political science student who is passionate about numerous topics such as: breaking the glass ceiling, the environment,the LGBTQ+ community, and public health. I am currently the President of CUAllies, a contributor for HerCampus CUA, and a Core Leader for Beacon House.
Shirley Chisholm’s career defines breaking the glass ceiling and overcoming stereotypes and discrimination. She was the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. She then ran as the first African American and woman from the Democratic Party to seek the Presidency of the United States. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have praised Shirley Chisholm for paving the way for their successes.
Shirley Chisholm:”You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”
Kelly Rodgers: Grace Kelly
I once did a report on Grace Kelly in 11th grade and decided she is goals. The Kelly family was originally from Philadelphia, and my grandmother used to see her and her siblings waiting for their ride to school in the morning when she was growing up. Grace Kelly was poised, intelligent, and incredibly talented. She told her parents “YOLO” and pursued her acting career from a young age, but later married the Prince of Monaco and became a princess. When she became princess, she also became super involved with philanthropy while simultaneously making her name as a fashion icon. She was the original All American Beauty, and was basically unstoppable.
Meghan Adams: Lara Logan
I’m from Baltimore, MD majoring in Media and Communication Studies and minoring in Islamic World Studies. One of my female idols is Lara Logan because she is a fearless journalist who is not scared to make sure her reporting is heard. She also has been very open about her sexual assault and captivity, which occurred while she was covering an event; I find that to be very admirable. As a woman who also hopes to be a foreign correspondent for a news agency I look up to her work and perseverance.
Jacqueline Lyons: Barbara Walters
This picture is of Barbara Walters as a co-anchor for ABC News. Walters paved the way for women journalists as the first women to ever anchor an American evening news program. She has made it possible for women, like myself, to do what I always aspired to do: write and entertain. So here’s to you Barbara…Cheers!
Juliet Onufrak: Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm served as a role model for me my entire childhood. Being a female athlete growing up can be hard because of the stereotype put on gender. The notion of “guys are better than girls” was something I heard so often growing up that it just became a fact I assumed. Watching Mia Hamm play, and seeing her in the media, made me feel differently. She gave me the idea that anyone who works their hardest can achieve what they dream, regardless of what sport they play or what gender they are. This idea is what drove me to stick with competitive sports through high school. Playing collegiate soccer was always my dream, but seemed impossible at times. I looked up to Mia Hamm, and I stuck with the idea of “If I don’t stop working my hardest I’ll get there,” and it worked. I still stick with this mantra in everything I do.
Mia Hamm was the first female athlete to overcome and change international assessment qualified by gender. Mia Hamm was the youngest woman to join the Women’s National team at age 15. In her career with the National team she succeeded in scoring 158 career goals, succeeding any male soccer player’s records at the time. She led the US to the 1999 Women’s World Cup, one of the most watched sporting events in history. Thousands of boys and girls supported the Women’s team by wearing Mia’s jersey. Mia led the US to victory against China in penalty kicks, and was so exhausted from her work ethic that she remained in the locker room hooked up to IV’s for two hours after the game. Mia Hamm showed girls that gender should not limit their dreams and goals, that “playing like a girl” is not an insult. Mia Hamm showed girls all over the world that women have the ability to be more successful than men not only in sports but also in all aspects of life. Mia Hamm became one of the founders of the Women’s United Soccer Association, the first professional Women’s soccer league. In 2004 she was put on FIFA’s list of the 125 greatest soccer players (of both men and women).
Roisin Gibbons: Whitney Houston
Aside from being a writer and a student I also sing and model. These two activities taught me to look for icons I can strive to be like. I picked Whitney Houston because she is one of my inspirations. I have learned about having passion behind a song while also having fun. I have also learned about feeling confident and loving yourself. My favorite quotes from her are:
“God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you have that, what other gimmick is there?”
“From the beginning, the camera and I were great friends. It loves me, and I love it.”
Libby Federici: Mother Teresa
My name is Libby Federici and I am a freshman art history major. I have chosen Mother Teresa of Calcutta as my historical woman. Mother Teresa served selflessly in poverty stricken communities in India. She and her sisters ran facilities to serve people with leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, among other things. They also opened soup kitchens and shelters of various kinds. Mother Teresa was a true example of genuine, radical Christianity. She catered to those on the outskirts, and to those in the worst physical condition. She is truly a woman to be celebrated during this women’s history month, especially since she is to be canonized as a saint this year!
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” -Mother Teresa