The Most Inspiring Women of 2009--Who's Your Pick?

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Around here, we're a big fans of strong and powerful women. We like women who stand up and take charge, who know when to lead and when to follow, who set goals and achieve them. (Of course, we also think men who do those things are pretty cool, too!)

So when SELF magazine sent us a list of their Most Inspiring Women for 2009, we were excited to read it. We love reading about people who have achieved success and continue to give back to those around them (kind of like Spreading the Spark while you reach your goals and beyond)!
So who made the list?

These women made SELF's list:
1. Sarah Jessica Parker: Actress and producer
2. Lolo Jones: 2009 USA Indoor Track Champion
3. Katie Couric: Host of "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric"; "60 Minutes" Correspondent
4. Diane von Furstenberg: Designer and creator of the iconic wrap dress
5. Nancy Brinker: Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Race for the Cure
6. Shakira: Global pop star and rescuer of needy kids
7. Mariska Hargitay: Star of "Law & Order SVU"
8. Laura Scher: Cofounder of Working Assets, a phone and credit card company that gives a portion of every transaction to charity
9. Trudie Styler: Actress and environmentalist
10. Rachel Maddow: Host of MSNBC’s "The Rachel Maddow Show"

You can read all about these inspiring women here.

If you were making the list, whom would you add to it? What woman inspires you?

If I wrote the list, I would add both my grandmothers:

My mom's mom, Willie (short for Willicent), is a quilter and quilting teacher who two years ago lost 35 pounds by cutting out sweets and riding a recumbent bike while watching TV at night. She's the only other tall woman in our family, and she taught me how to bake and sew. Gramma Willie is determined to stay healthy and make exercise a priority. At 70, she says she feels 20 years younger, and she looks great, too! (She has great skin!)



My dad's mom, Penelope, lives in Cody, Wyoming, where she has two horses and still works. On her 68th birthday last year, we celebrated by riding horse with some of her friends, some of whom are older than she is. Gramma Penelope has always been active and loves the outdoors. She taught me about the outdoors, introduced me to horseback riding and has always nurtured my independent streak. She's more adventurous than people half her age, and she inspires me to be strong and capable.



Who's on your list? What woman inspires you?