Honourable Womentions

For once we’d like to celebrate an event that doesn’t require us to make something, write something, cook something or wrap something. A celebration like International Women’s Day is just the thing, and we’re particularly fond of it at SavvyMom for all of the reasons above but mostly for the notion behind it. On March 8, we’re celebrating the social, economic and political successes of women past and present.

So instead of adding something extra to our to-do list that day, we’re planning to relax, have a cup of tea and reflect on some of our favourite women. Here are a few of the most admired and respected ones at SavvyHQ.

Eleanor Roosevelt
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Barb Collombin, our Victoria SavvyScribe is a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt who always believed in herself as well as others. Famous for her many great achievements as the First Lady of the US, Eleanor Roosevelt chaired the committee that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the UN. She was known, thanks to President Truman, as the “First Lady of the World”. 

Audrey Hepburn
“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”
Robyn Burnett, our Editorial Assistant and Home Page Editor says: “If moms and kids don’t count, then I vote for Audrey Hepburn. Not only was she a wonderful actress, but she was also an incredible humanitarian who was a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and travelled the world to raise awareness of children in need. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.”

Sarah McLachlan
‘We’re constantly being told what other people think we are, and that’s why it is so important to know yourself’.
Heather Johnson, our Calgary SavvyScribe loves Sarah McLachlan because she is an amazing artist, proud Canadian, mom of two and respected philanthropist. Sarah was responsible for the creation of Lilith Fair, a touring festival celebrating women that raised millions for various charities, and currently has established an outreach music program for inner city youth. And she sings a mean tune.

Queen Noor of Jordan
“I’ve seen it around the world, in the poorest countries and in countries riven with conflict; it is women who are the key to breaking out of poverty, breaking out of stagnation.”
Sarah Morgenstern, our Publisher and Co-Founder, picked Queen Noor of Jordan as the woman she admires. Among many of her achievements, she has actively worked to promote Arab-Western relations, and is the current president of the United World Colleges. Her focus on peace building initiatives and on helping refugees has been a great inspiration, and she’s a beautiful woman and loving wife and mother to boot.

Michelle Obama
“Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.”
Minnow Hamilton, Managing Editor and Co-Founder of SavvyMom is a fan of Michelle Obama because she is not just a mom and a wife but she is an integral member of a very powerful team (a driving force, you might say). Michelle also shops at J. Crew, which is one of Minnow’s fave retailers and has been since before preppy was in style (yes, Minnow thinks preppy was once in style).

Clara Hughes
“If you dream and you allow yourself to dream you can do anything. And that’s what this Olympic medal represents.”
Michelle Tice, our Vancouver SavvyScribe has some wonderful women role models in her family: her mom, grandma and aunt, who have amazed her with their selflessness and inner-strength. She is also a huge fan of Clara Hughes. She is a spokesperson for Right to Play and an all-around nice person. Hughes is one of only five people who have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Games, and is the only person ever to have won multiple medals in both. We don’t see any men with that distinction…just sayin’.

Andrea Tomkins, our Ottawa SavvyScribe admires her mother-in-law. It might sound crazy because it’s a rare thing that women admire their MILs as much as she does (perhaps we all should?). Andrea admires her for her kindness and generosity. She provides a warm and loving home for her family, freely gives kisses and hugs, and is a great listener. She can be as fierce and protective as she can be gentle and gracious. On International Women’s Day, Andrea thinks about women like her who are the yarn that binds us all together.

There are so many. They are the ones we all know and they are the ones that only we know and love as much as we do (our moms, our aunts, our daughters). We’re all to be celebrated on March 8, so be sure to take a minute to yourself and celebrate you.

Send this to a woman you admire and tell them why. It will make their day.

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