https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:51:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561842 Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:16:18 +0000 Angie 561842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading your tributes has made me teary. WOW. </p> <p>(Helen, I like the way you think!)</p> <p>Jules, your tribute was particularity moving. You are a blessed daughter and a role model to your own daughters. </p> <p>Rae, I am very humbled. I can only imagine that all women want a mate like you! </p> <p>Mary, big hugs. You are a bright ray of sunshine in everyone's day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561517 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:14:45 +0000 Isabel 561517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful thought !!</p> <p>I have been so unbelievable blessed with great women throughout my lfe.</p> <p>My mom. who took a plunge to come to this country with two small children, not knowing the language, having no family or friends, going to work in a factory, all so that I could go to college, get a degree.....and then be a SAHM !! LOL !</p> <p>My fourth grade teacher, who recognized a deep love of science in a poor, immigrant child with no role models in education and turned me onto biology and cinched my future in it.</p> <p>My 6th grade teacher who got me my first job when I was in high school.....and I loved it. It was at a Head Start program for underprivileged pre-schoolers and that gave me a life long love of working with children who are high risk.</p> <p>My wonderful friend and mentor who I met doing a research project at a molecular biology lab. She took me under her wing and was just soooooo good to me. She is brilliant, kind, and does work for the UN on women's issues in third world countries. She is amazing !!!!!</p> <p>And.....this one is weird....Madeleine Albright. I admire her so much. She is tough, compassionate, and understanding. I have read her works and followed her for years. I am star struck when it comes to her. And I LOVE her pins !!!</p> <p>And of course, the wonderful supportive, honest, witty, smart women here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561463 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:27:24 +0000 MsMary 561463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>1. My mom. She was a working mom way back in the 60s and 70s and I learned from her that it's possible to do it all. She was so helpful to me when I was a young working mom -- I don't know what I would have done without her.</p> <p>2. My BFF A. I hired her as my secretary at The Medium Sized Law Firm some 16 years ago and neither one of us has ever looked back. She's stood up for me at my wedding, spend the night with me in the hospital after surgery, given me shelter in a storm (both literally and figuratively), tap dances with me every week, and for some crazy reason she still thinks I'm awesome and always has.</p> <p>3. Angie. Srsly. For a million reasons including the fact that because of her, I'm hooked up with all you ladies! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561460 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:16:03 +0000 christieanne 561460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Being the feminist and history geek that am I , I am also tearing up with this thread. The stories of who influenced you to become who are are (and continue the cycle) are so moving, and so infrequently shared. </p> <p>Ornella (and all the YLF women from around the world) - you have made my day! </p> <p>1. My grandmother. She was born in SF just before the SF earthquake to Gold Rush emigrants and truly had that fighting, pioneer spirit. She was a career woman long before it was the norm (my grandfather worked nights as machine shop foreman) and taught us all to think for ourselves. Loved the outdoors, baseball and her family. Told great stories.<br /> She taught me how to read a book and do dishes at the same time. Stubborn but fair. </p> <p>2. My daughter. Reminds me daily that ages 9-12 are the years that girls really come into their own. Something about the way she speaks her mind and is fearless inspires me. It is sad that my own grandmother didn't get to meet her because they are very much the same. I hope to guide her enough that she keeps on the wonderful path she is on. </p> <p>3. My friend D. She has MS and fights this damn disease daily. Some weeks are easier than others. But D. demonstrates so much humor, grace and selflessness that you would never know she is struggling. Makes my own complaints seem minor, but not to her. Always wants to know what is going on with others and is not self-focused in the least. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561391 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:42:56 +0000 RoseandJoan 561391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for starting this thread Ornella, it is inspiring.</p> <p>When I was young I really did miss not having a female role model, my Mum's schizophrenia meant she was barely able to look after herself and there were some bleak times when I wished my parents would divorce or I would be taken into a childrens home just so that I could escape the situation. Both of my grandmothers died when I was young and relatives in general tuned their backs on my family.</p> <p>So it may come as a surprise to some that my role model now is my Mum, she is the ultimate fighter and no matter how tough life was growing up it was a hundred times worse for her. In spite of her illness she managed to keep the family together out of sheer love and determination.Yes she is mad as a bag of snakes at times but she always pulls through and will be the first on the phone when times get tough.</p> <p>I'm off now to phone my Mum. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561362 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:10:49 +0000 rae 561362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am tearing up reading these! All really lovely tributes - thanks for starting the thread. </p> <p>#1: My little sister. We went through a lot of stress together and, for many years, really only had one another to depend on. She naturally has an amazing capacity for empathy and humor. No matter what happened, I always knew there was at least one person in the world who made it better - very powerful as young kids who new very little outside our own home.</p> <p>#2: Liz Phair, circa Exile in Guyville. I've been told I sound a bit like her when I sing... probably why I was attracted to her music. I didn't know girls were "allowed" to sing like that, rather than having a high, pretty voice like Mariah Carey or even Madonna or Louise Post. Liz Phair helped me to not be ashamed of my deep voice and to persue songwriting, which was a great outlet for me at times. I could add Courtney Love, though I found LP first. </p> <p>#3: Ok, honestly, I'm not trying to be cheezy or "brown-nose" here, but I have got to include Angie. I used to think that I do not get along well with women, and that women were just mean and catty to one another. Now I have many wonderful fashion friends around the world, who have been super supportive through multiple life milestones. Thanks for being such a fab role model and leader here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561349 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:57:28 +0000 Transcona Shannon 561349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a wonderful tribute post Ornella - thank you so much for starting this.</p> <p>For me, my greatest inspiration was my Grandma Kay. She was not my biological grandmother but rather a wonderful lady who lived next door to us. She was my father's first school teacher in the days of the one-room school house. She was married to a horrible, abusive, alcoholic man who did terrible things to her while he was alive and when he died in a car accident, left her with nothing but debt and terrible memories. But she was the most giving, caring, courageous, and dignified woman I ever met. She gave of herself to others and various community causes without question, never spoke ill of anyone (including her late husband), and even opened her home to folks when needed. I went to her house every day after school where she would make us Earl Grey tea with a slice of lemon, home made cookies and we would talk for hours, until I had to go home. She was a life long learner and wanted to know everything - she always wanted to know what we had learned in school. She only owned three dresses and one pair of pants (for gardening only), but was always impeccably clean and well groomed, always wore white gloves which were never dirty and was nothing but an absolute LADY. She taught me about compassion and kindness, how to have joy with nothing, how to push evil and bad memories aside so there's room for laughter and joy. I loved her dearly and was absolutely devastated when she died just after I turned 18. When we were cleaning out her house a few months after her death (she had no family as she had never had children) I came across her journal and found many, many beautiful comments about our afternoons together and how much they meant to her. I have those journals still. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561341 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:46:48 +0000 Ornella 561341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful stories and so inspiring. Thank you.</p> <p>I've been thinking about this the whole day and could add another half a dozen more stories at least. </p> <p>Anyone else wants to share their stories of inspirational women? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561126 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:57:43 +0000 Sunita 561126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! What amazing tributes!</p> <p>I too would like to thank all the fabulous women here at YLF, and Angie in particular, for making me feel so welcome as part of this amazing community!</p> <p>My late mother has had a trememndous impact on my life. She was a very strong person with firmly held opinions. A true straight-shooter who always said what she meant and meant what she said! It often got her in trouble when tact was called for, but people appreciated her honesty. She taught me to be strong and stand up for myself. She faced the cancer that eventually took her life with tremendous mental strength and grace. Now that I have a children of my own, I look back on my childhood years with my Mum and wish I had been more appreciative.</p> <p>The second female who is having a tremendous impact on my lfe in my daughter, Jasmine. She challenges me in ways I find infuriating, pours out her affection for me in ways that are so endearing, and clowns around in ways that have me laughing out loud! A good friend once told me that Jasmine is bursting with personality. She is a delightful girl, and I'm so proud to be her mother! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561110 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:49:02 +0000 chewyspaghetti 561110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so timely, because I have had my 'Aunt Nan' on my mind lately. Spring and Easter always remind me of her, as does hobnail Milk Glass. Not technically an aunt, she was married to my paternal grandfather's cousin (or something like that). My parents didn't have family in California, so they were our closest relatives. I can remember the smell of their house on Easter Sundays, and her gracious ways. Aunt Nan had a way of always making everyone feel welcome,appreciated and important. She always made us kids feel special and loved, and she rarely ever lost her temper. Her house was full of wonderful treasures from her husband's military travels and her own lovely antiques. I can trace my fascination with Buddha statues, hobnail Milk Glass and rose gardens straight back to her house. Nan's poise and elegance is something that I have never stopped striving for- miss you Nan, even after all these years! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561091 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:30:35 +0000 Angie 561091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hugs to Suz. I'm humbled. Loved hearing you celebrate your wonderful daughter in particular. Your bond with her sounds precious and priceless. </p> <p>Ornella, a beautiful tribute to three mesmerizing women I'm sure. And know that YOU are an inspiration to us all too. </p> <p>Makrame, fantastic (and science inspired) tributes! I am sure that you hold a special place in the hearts of these ladies as well. </p> <p>I'd like to pay tribute to my late Mum whose personality was sometimes an acquired taste! She would have without question gone through fire for me, her family and our dogs and that's just the long and short of it, really. </p> <p>Next is my Mum in Law (Greg's Mum) who is just about my favourite human being in the world. She is a role model in every way and I love her with every fibre of my being. </p> <p>Last but not least, Jasmine. She was the furry lady who changed my life and made it better. Life without her is just not as fab. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561086 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:22:53 +0000 HelenInCanada 561086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy Women's Day to us all! (Though everyday should be a tribute to great women everywhere!) </p> <p>These all sound like such inspiring ladies (and girls)! I need to reflect on who my role models are...I will return! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-561065 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:58:17 +0000 Suz 561065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, Ornella, we can always depend on you to start the most thought-provoking and loving threads! What a wonderful idea to get this going. And I was very moved by your stories and also by yours, Makrame! </p> <p>3 women who have shaped (or are shaping) my life: </p> <p>1. Lucy Maud Montgomery. When, as a somewhat lonely and introverted child, I read her books—and in particular, the Emily series, I began to dream. She was a Canadian, and a woman, and a writer, and she showed that this could be done. That her life was actually quite difficult and painful I did not know until I was much older. In fact, she suffered enormously. But still, she represented for me the hope that someone ordinary, like myself, could still aspire to create art. </p> <p>2. My Aunt Irene, my mother's sister. She never married, worked all over the world, read, cooked interesting food (it was with her that I tasted my first artichoke), and showed me that I didn't have to follow the typical pattern of my generation—that it was okay to follow my own schedule and my own path and do things a little differently. </p> <p>3. My daughter. She has suffered tremendous loss and trauma and is neurologically "different" than the norm, and yet shows so much courage, hope, resilience, and creativity. Parenting her calls on resources I never knew I had, and blesses me beyond my wildest imaginings. She is a true force, and I can't wait to see who she becomes! </p> <p>I would also like to say that in my present life I am influenced by Krista Scott-Dixon (http:www.stumptuous.com) who shows that women can be strong and fit and feminist, and also by our own Angie, whose natural grace and warmth do so much to make fashion fun and accessible to us all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-560949 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:34:46 +0000 Makrame 560949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Ornella! This is great! Happy March 8th!</p> <p>Aside from my mom and my Biology teacher (who clearly was the reason I am a scientist now), I often think of my grandmothers as big influences in my life, even though I never met the grandmother I am named after (she died before I was born).</p> <p>My Dad's mom was the second oldest of six sisters. Their father was killed as a bystander during the civil war in Russia when the oldest was about 18 and the youngest about 1 year old, the mother died of TB fairly soon after. The oldest sister took care of the rest of them for a few years and then died of TB as well. My grandmother then became the matriarch of the family and took care of the younger sisters on her salary as a teacher at an orphanage. She never had an opportunity to advance her education beyond a high school diploma but her younger sisters, who always looked up to her and came to her for advice, became a doctor (heading a large clinic), an engineer, an accountant, and a librarian. She helped raise me and was a great support to her husband, sons and daughters in law.</p> <p>My maternal grandmother was an engineer who headed quality control department at the largest plant in my hometown. She contributed to improving safety and working conditions in the plant, and my mom was telling me that occasionally she would run into former plant worker who would remember how much less toxic (literally) the plant was thanks to my grandmother. She also was an extremely stylish woman, and I love looking at her old pictures (dresses, hats, etc.). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-560942 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:48:46 +0000 Vildy 560942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WoW what a beautiful tribute! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/feel-good-thread-women-that-shaped-our-lives#post-560940 Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:25:16 +0000 Ornella 560940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Today is International Women's Day and I would like to send a huge virtual hug to all of you, my dear YLF friends, who make this community so unique and best of its kind. </p> <p>Let's celebrate the day by sharing the stories of three (or more, or less, as you feel) women that have lasting impact on your lives. I'll start.</p> <p><strong>My mum </strong><br /> Quite obviously, by being the first role model I've ever had. She broke the mould in many ways compared to many women around her and had taught me the most valuable lessons: be independent, don't tolerate anyone disrespecting you and the most important one - the sun *always* shines after the rainy day. She was very generous woman, elegant too and an instantly likeable character, vibrant and fun. People loved her and remembered her. I'll never forget the moment when, 11 years after she had passed away, I had walked out of the hotel just after booking my wedding reception and have bumped at her oncologist who then took a mere second after seeing me to say "You are Mrs. M's daughter!"</p> <p><strong>My first teacher</strong><br /> Imagine the good "old school" type: everything from manners to dignity to the respect she showed for her profession, other teachers and her pupils too, to the exquisite handwriting that is nowadays seen in calligraphy books only. Her sense of reaching every child in her classroom was obvious even though it took me years to actually define to myself that gift she had and understand that not everyone actually has it. She gave me confidence in those early years of education by recognising some talents which to this day I consider some of my defining characteristics. Every time I take my fountain pen to write, which looks very much like the one she had and used to write our school reports with, I think of her. She still inspires me to write - both as the way of expressing myself or simply as tracing ink on the paper and watching it dry – a calm, soothing activity and a skill that is disappearing in the era of keyboards and typing.<br /> A few months ago I have managed to trace her down and phoned her - she could hardly believe that it was me (of course she remembered me personally, she said "I can still recognise every one of my pupils when I look at their eyes"), but all the little things I actually remembered from 30 years ago. I think for people of her age and who did her job, it is so important to know they affected us so much. </p> <p><strong>The lady from the toddler playgroup</strong><br /> Everyone says she is "mothering the mothers". This lady runs the toddler group at one of the local schools where I used to take my son when he was little, but her job really is to help mums be better mums. Everyone I know feels such powerful attraction to her - there is an air of wisdom, peace and motherly comfort around that quiet and strong woman which really serves as the best inspiration for being true to ourselves and then being everything else, mothers, wives, partners, friends. I do feel like a little child around her and like the feeling of "growing up" every time we talk (I still see her sometimes). I used to talk a lot to her in those early days and she helped me shape up how I want to be as mother and I also felt the relationship with her was filling some gaps in my life left after my own mum passed away. I was extremely happy when she commented on some occasions that certain things I have said helped her understand her daughter better. To give back to someone whom we feels gives us so much is a gift in itself.</p> <p>Over to you. Which women inspire(d) you? </p>