In times of doubt or fear, I love to ask myself:
"What would [insert name of a woman you greatly admire] do?
...and yes, absolutely frigging channel her!
Herewith 99 reasons in the form of amazing trailblazing New Zealand women, in no particular order mind, who followed their passion or calling DESPITE being up against it.
Note that said list is just the beginning – a tiny proportion of those we may call upon to inspire our own dreams & purpose, and doesn’t even make mention yet of those from our own immediate community & sphere of influence, or farther flung places around the world.
1 Dame Whina Cooper – leader, reformer
2 Helen Clark – politician
3 Mai Chen – lawyer, academic, author
4 Dame Jenny Shipley – politician, business woman
5 Rose Matafeo – comedian, writer, actor
6 Sophie Pascoe - paralympic swimmer
7 Farah Palmer - rugby icon
8 Lorde - singer, songwriter
9 Lydia Ko - golfer
10 Diggeress Te Kanawa - master weaver
11 Parris Goebel - dancer, choreographer, director
12 Georgina Beyer - mayor, politician
13 Anna Paquin - actor
14 Dame Mira Szászy – leader, educator
15 Dame Alison Holst - food writer, chef
16 Elizabeth Gunn - doctor
17 Kate Edger - graduate, teacher, suffragist
18 Judy Bailey - TV presenter
19 Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan – politician
20 Dame Luamanuvao Winne Laban – politician
21 Jane Maria Atkinson – pioneer, community leader, letter writer
22 Kate Sheppard – suffragist, social reformer
23 Te Paea Hinerangi (Guide Sophia) – tourist guide
24 Hana Te Hemara – activist
25 Elizabeth Yates – mayor
26 Marilyn Waring – politician, feminist, activist
27 Frances Alda – soprano
28 Dame Anne Salmond – anthropologist, historian, environmentalist
29 Dame Naomi James – sailor
30 Nurual Shamsul – poet, blogger, Ms Universe NZ finalist
31 Jacinda Adern – politician
32 Lucy Moore - botanist
33 Aunt Daisy - radio broadcaster
34 Ruia Morrison - tennis player
35 Ethel Benjamin - lawyer
36 Joy Cowley – writer
37 Dame Rangimārie Hetet – master weaver
38 Jean Batten – aviator
39 Selina Tusitala Marsh – poet, scholar
40 Janet Frame – writer, poet
41 Nancy Wake – secret agent, war hero
42 Dame Silvia Cartwright – lawyer, court judge, governor general
43 Katherine Mansfield – writer
44 Elizabeth McCombs – politician
45 Dame Valerie Adams – shotputter
46 Elsa Kidson – scientist, sculptor
47 Hinematioro – chieftainess
48 Dame Lynley Dodd - writer
49 Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – soprano
50 Alma Johnson – TV presenter
51 Frances Hodgkins - artist
52 Dame Jane Campion – screenwriter, producer, director
53 Meri Te Tai Mangakahia – suffragist
54 Dame Ngaio Marsh – writer, director
55 Dame Sister Mary Leo – religious sister, music & singing teacher
56 Huia Matenga – leader, heroine
57 Constance Barnicoat – interpreter, journalist, mountaineer
58 Karen Walker – fashion designer
59 Eva Rickard – kaitiaki
60 Rosemary Askin – geologist
61 Mavis Rivers – jazz singer
62 Beatrice Tinsley – astronomer
63 Iriaka Matiu Rātana – politician
64 Barbara Kendall – boardsailor
65 Dame Augusta Wallace – lawyer, judge
66 Merata Mita – film maker
67 Tui Flower – food writer, chef
68 Yvette Williams – athlete
69 Arapera Kaa Blank – poet, teacher
70 Emily Siedeberg – doctor
71 Mabel Howard - trade unionist, politician
72 Melanie Lynskey – actress
73 Eleanor Catton – writer
74 Kristine Bartlett – aged care worker
75 Lisa King – entrepreneur, social enterpriser
76 Lecrecia Seales – lawyer, campaigner
77 Louise Nicholas – whistleblower, writer, advisor
78 Dr. Siouxsie Wiles – microbiologist
79 Alexia Hilbertidou – entrepreneur, leader, feminist
80 Laura Dekker – sailor
81 Kahupeka – healer
82 Ahumai Te Paerata – warrior
83 Mother Aubert – religious sister
84 Elizabeth Pulman – photographer
85 Mary J. Carpenter – suffragist
86 Marianne Smith – business woman
87 Winifred Boys-Smith – photographer
88 Margaret Cruickshank – doctor
89 Lady Victoria Plunket – child welfare advocate
90 Ettie Rout - war hero, campaigner
91 Te Puea Hērangi – leader
92 Kathleen Curtis – scientist
93 Bobby Angus – fashion designer
94 Violet Walrond – athlete
95 Rita Angus – artist
96 Kitty Kain – military leader
97 Edith Farkas – meteorologist
98 Joan Wiffen – palaeontologist
99 Rina Moore - doctor
Who are the women that inspire you?
Much love,
xAnthea
