THE WOMEN WHO INSPIRE US

It’s International Women’s Day and so today the ladies of Innovations are celebrating and reflecting on those who have inspired us. Those who have encouraged us to live better and be better for another generation.

We are the career women of the generations before us dreamed to be. Their sacrifices have helped mold who we were able to become, and we don’t take that lightly.

Today we celebrate the ability to be creative, to speak up and be heard. These are the ones who have inspired us, as we look to inspire and strengthen the next generation of women.

COO, Innovations Branding House

I consider Erma Bombeck to be an inspirational lady.  I enjoy her humor and insight on motherhood. My favorite quote of hers is “If I had my life to live over, I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worry about grass stains.”  I try to keep things like that in mind when I get stressed out about being a mom.

I suppose most of my role models were the teachers I had throughout the years. I was really inspired by my sophomore English teacher, Mrs. Burgess, who truly cared about each of us, listened to our problems, and made her class about so much more than grammar and reading.

The woman who inspired me in my marketing career was my friend Cathy, who encouraged me to go back and finish my degree even though I was a mom with two kids. She was my cheerleader every step of the way.

Senior Designer

“Find out who you are and be that person.  That’s what your soul was put on this earth to be.  Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come.”- Ellen DeGeneres

Video Editor

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Audrey Hepburn

Content Strategist

From the woman who taught me to love words, Agatha Christie – “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”

From the woman who taught me to love marketing, Ann Handley – “Even when you are marketing to your entire audience or customer base, you are still simply speaking to a single human at any given time.”

From the woman who taught me to love life, my mom, Jill Proctor – “Today’s a good day for having a good day.”

From the woman who taught me to love myself, my grandmama, Sara Johnson – “Do you know how much I love you?”

I’ve had many strong women role models throughout my life from my grandmother Honey, to my piano teacher of 7 years, to my first boss. They’d experienced the struggles of being a woman in what I think of as “history,” but it was once their present.

But, the one woman who continues to inspire me the most? My mom. She grew up on a farm, and learned what hard work was, but never neglected her studies.

She pursued her passion of music, teaching for more than 30 years. She eventually mastered advanced degrees, all while raising us two kids and keeping up with my dad’s humor.

Even though she told me later she would have loved to have been a stay-at-home mom, to me she was the epitome of a strong career woman, who had learned to balance it all. She somehow worked 9-10 hours a day and still helped us with homework, made dinner and planned awesome vacations. She and my dad made sure we traveled, learning about history and the different cultures and ideas that make up America.

My mom, loving retirement now, is the type of woman I want to be. Strong, confident, continually pursuing her passions while always loving God and those around her.

Branded Products Specialist

My mother, Carol Holshouser Hoover was hands down the one female in my life that I looked up to. Not only was she my mom, but my marketing mentor, spiritual guide and my best friend!!

Project Manager

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

-Unknown

I’ve had no shortage of female role models. But, rather than cite them all, I’ve included the quote below to encompass the spirit of independence they so strongly instilled in me:

“I am big enough to admit that I am oftentimes inspired by myself.” – Leslie Knope