Today is International Women’s Day! Happy Women’s Day to my women readers and thank you to the men readers too who walk alongside us.
Around the world, women are redefining themselves, their roles in the family and the world and turning old power structures upside down! Women, all the world over, are inspiring change! That to me, is truly phenomenal.
For me, the good news is that the very same media that we are wont to bash brings us such wonderful stories of women who are inspiring change and become role models for the next generation of women.
While some women get caught up with the false notions of beauty that society seems to dish out – there are others who are inspiring change by asking us to look within for true beauty.
You can’t eat beauty. You can’t rely on how you look to sustain you. What sustains us is compassion. ~ Lupita Nyong’o, Kenyan actress who recently won an Oscar
Then there are others inspiring change by not allowing their physical disablities to hold them back from becoming powerful agents of change.
I’m not interested in making a little noise – I’m looking to change the paradigm.
Neema Namadamu is the founder of Maman Shujaa, a powerful women-led initiative that uses digital media to amplify the voices of women demanding peace in eastern Congo.
Other women inspire change by showing how you can balance a very successful career with an equally good home life.
If I had stepped away, listening to that, it would have reflected on all women. My whole experience was to show how to do it. If you work with passion and enjoy what you are pursuing, you will find a solution to life, ~ Naina Lal Kidwai, Head of HSBC, India and first woman vice president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
In a country, where the girl child is often unwanted, a nurse in a Government hospital inspires change when she adopts a 7-year old girl who was orphaned in a house collapse in Mumbai.
The stories go on – and the best part is that each of us too can inspire change if we decide to do so!
To paraphrase Gandhiji, let us ‘be the change we seek’.
I’m linking in to the Write Tribe Festival of Words today.
“I’m celebrating International Women’s Day by blogging for the #WomenInspire Campaign sponsored by USC’s masters degree in social work. Join the blog carnival to honor a woman who has inspired you!”
USC’s Women Inspire Campaign
Inspiring women indeed. Though there’s still much to be done, we have at least made steps forward!
Oh yes, we have moved forward, Michelle. Thank God for that!

Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 2
Happy Women’s Day, you beautiful woman! Love the references and the quotes. I am privileged to have so many strong women in my life! 🙂
And where is your selfie? 🙂

Vidya Sury recently posted..International Womens Day. My SHeros #WomenInspire Change
I’m equally privileged too, Vidya! 🙂
No selfie – you know how crazy it was when I wrote this! 🙂

Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday – 2
Happy Women’s Day Corinne!
Beautiful, Corinne!!

What a way to celebrate the epitome of strength, perseverance and power – the woman of today… the eternal warrior.
Happy Women’s Day to you!
A Walk into the Woods recently posted..Unveiling the ‘dis-married’ on Women’s Day
Very true….Beauty of the inner strength overshadows the surroundings…

Happy Women’s Day!
Sheela recently posted..My Angel
Wonderful examples of inspirational women Corinne. My favourite from your post is the story of the nurse. That is true inspiration. Hope you had a happy IWD.

Suzy recently posted..International Women’s Day – Inspiring Change
I guess it is not an organisation or a social worker that brings about changes, it is the individual themselves. Such individuals are indeed inspirations in their own way. It takes courage to do something differently and such such courage must always be encouraged and celebrated. <3

Jyothi Nair recently posted..It is our world !
The nurse in the Govt. Hospital has showed that one does not have to be a celebrity , a millionaire or a from Hollywood/Bollywood fraternity to inspire and become a role model to others. Salute her.

Kalpana Solsi recently posted..Inspire a change
Your post is inspiring and a wonderful tribute to women everywhere! ♥

Kathy Combs recently posted..Winter’s Nap
So inspiring, Corinne! I especially liked the quote from Lupita – compassion is everything!

Blessings, my friend!
Martha Orlando recently posted..For Dust You Are . . .
Miss Corinne, I love that you are honoring women. All of the featured ladies are an inspiration to us, including yourself my sweet sister. I highly value our sisterhood and the love and power that women possess in spite of our vast history of oppression and struggle.
Sending love today! XO
We need so many more of these women, and I am so glad to see that you’ve included women from across different ethnicities! Thanks for a lovely post, Corinne!

Fab recently posted..Outfit Post – Bright and Sunny!
I recently read a lot on Lupita because something about her oscar speech made me get goosebumps. I do think that many women through their actions no matter how small communicate a much larger resilience than all the society put together..

richa singh recently posted..Vedanta Wake Up, Kovalam- A Review
b e a u t i f u l.
I believe WOMEN will transform the world! xx

My Inner Chick recently posted..Believing in Your Story, Your Vision, Your Life
Very inspiring. The world is changing, women are getting their due. But I think we still have a long way to go.

Jas recently posted..Sorting Out Sid: A Book Review
I’m late, but I’m here. So I wish you a Happy Women’s Day to you Corinne! Glad to have known you. 🙂

Rekha recently posted..Shakuntala and Dushyanta – The Mahabharata version
It’s an inspiring post, Corinne and wonderful to read about women in different walks of life where difference in ability or poverty is no deterrent to make a difference to the world. It’s an honor for men like me to walk along such women to make a difference. Thanks for this beautiful post, Corinne.
Such inspirational women Corinne! Thanks for sharing their stories with us and making us more aware!

Psych Babbler recently posted..Being Bossy
Inspiring write up about inspiring women! I saw the clip of Lupita Nyong’o’s award acceptance speech on Internet and found it so moving. Now I am even more inspired to watch the film after hearing her speech! Such beauty of the spirit….thanks for this post!

Beloo Mehra recently posted..Storytime
The first thing I want to do is to search for Lupita’s award speech on the net. Haven’t seen or heard it yet.

So much inspiration from all over, Corinne. Thanks for this post. All snippets of inspiration are necessary to help us keep going !
Sreeja Praveen recently posted..Some Women’s Day Thoughts !
I have to admit, I have not heard of Lupita Nyong’o until the Oscars. I loved her acceptance speech, it’s not everyday that I get goosebumps from hearings somebody talk.

Jhanis recently posted..The Ultimate Selfie Guide
These kinds of posts by bloggers are so important, because they give exposure to important women who would otherwise might be ignored or marginalized in the mainstream media. I knew of Lupita Nyong’o, but the others were new to me. Thanks so much for sharing!

Adam Kamerer recently posted..Day 17 – Get Your Free Annual Credit Report
Truely inspiring 🙂 enjoyed reading every bit of it!