What Does an Inspirational Woman Look Like?
Name your inspirational heroine.
If you Google “inspirational women,” an array of well-known names appears.
All perfectly legitimate. Completely understandable.
The dictionary definition of inspire is “to motivate someone to feel or do something, especially something creative.”
But have we hijacked this word?
In the business world, for example, inspirational figures are often those who have made millions and perhaps changed the commercial landscape in the process. (We might think of people like Bill Gates.)
Yet I think we take inspiration from all around us, every day. Our answer to the question “Who is your idea of an inspirational woman?” will be shaped by our life experiences and worldview. We are likely influenced by our parents, our upbringing, and the seasons of life we’ve lived through.
The Familiar Faces of Inspiration
Some well-known women who are often described as inspirational include:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and one of the most influential advocates for gender equality in modern legal history.
Oprah Winfrey
An American talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist - widely regarded as one of the most influential women in media history.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) was an American political leader, diplomat, and human rights advocate - and one of the most influential First Ladies in history.
From my youth, I would also have named:
Anita Roddick
Anita Roddick (1942–2007) was a British entrepreneur, activist, and founder of The Body Shop - one of the first global beauty brands built on ethical values.
Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley (1925–1985) was a Welsh fashion and textile designer best known for creating a romantic, nostalgic style that became hugely popular in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
This year, as we celebrate International Women's Day and countless names are presented to us as inspirational women, I find myself asking:
Who will impress you?
Will it be the woman who scaled a business?
Overcame a personal challenge?
Made a scientific discovery?
Influenced social change?
Elevated artistic achievement?
I thought this would be an easy assignment - write about inspirational women. But it’s become clear to me how personal this really is.
Anita Roddick: A Groundbreaker Ahead of Her Time
Let’s start with my younger self and one of the first women I was truly impressed by: Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop.
It might seem a little clichéd now - but she was a groundbreaker.
She made “potions and lotions” at home, avoided harsh chemicals, and championed bottle refills long before sustainability became mainstream. I can still remember taking my empty bottles back to be refilled.
She was a mother of two who wanted to create something from home that worked alongside motherhood. For women of my generation, we were hungry for examples of women who were managing to “do it all.”
And look how far that ambition took her, and the business.
Shirley Chisholm: Courage in Politics
Which leads me to another inspirational figure: Shirley Chisholm.
She was the first Black woman to run for President of the United States in 1972. I confess I didn’t know about her at the time, but age and stage have taught me more about her remarkable story, now portrayed in the film Shirley.
She inspires me because navigating the political landscape in pursuit of the highest office required resilience and determination of the highest order.
Gertrude Jekyll: A Painterly Approach to Gardening
Gardening is a passion of mine. Before Herbs of Grace, I taught others how to grow food sustainably, so I’ve always taken special interest in the women who have shaped the world of gardening.
One of those women is Gertrude Jekyll.
Her influence on gardening style was profound. She created a painterly approach to planting - using colour, texture, and seasonal flow as though composing a canvas.
When I discovered her work, I felt immediately motivated to bring some of that beauty into my own garden.
Hilda Leyel: Reviving Herbalism
In the world of herbalism, I must mention Hilda Leyel, founder of the Herb Society.
She is credited with restoring interest in herbalism at a time when its use was fading. A thoroughly modern woman, she ensured traditional knowledge wasn’t lost.
Jane Goodall: Emotion and Environmental Awareness
There are other women I admire in politics and the environment - for example, Jane Goodall.
I still remember the release of her chimpanzee studies and how emotional I felt watching the documentary footage. Her work changed how many of us see animals, and ourselves.
What Does Your Choice Say About You?
Looking at my list of names - and thinking about the ones I might add - I realise something.
My profile, my life experience, and my motivations are all visible in the women I admire.
So perhaps the better question this International Women’s Day is not simply:
“Who inspires you?”
But rather:
“What does your choice of inspirational woman say about who you are?”
Share with us the inspirational woman who inspires you on our social post (posted 1st March), and you could be in with a chance of winning a £50 Herbs of Grace Gift Card. Entries close on International Women’s Day (8th March).