Women's Voices: Words of Wisdom, Voices of Hope

Aia Obeed

“Onward!” - Elizabeth Gilbert

Alex Yeager

“Stay true to you are and don't let anyone bring you down! Be Positive!”

Aly Rehmer

“Everybody's career journey is unique. Don't feel distressed or defeated when planning for your future!”

Amanda Harris

“My mom has always told me that people who love animals are kind. I still believe that to this day.”

Ame Mead

“Much as I loved her, my grandmother spouted terrible advice from previous generations. All sorts of tips on how to successfully become a wife (in 1942) and how to be an acceptable woman (in the 1950s). There was a lot of “be pretty and quiet” in there. But in the middle of all the stereotypical advice, she handed out one true gem – “People will be scared of you, and that’s not your problem.” While the message of that statement was vitally important, the lessons of times changing, women changing, and icons in your life being wrong were all excellent and needed things to learn as well.”

Amy Freshwater

“My Child and Family Development graduate supervisor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Kathy Thornburg, taught me and my classmates to be feisty, outspoken, and well-informed advocates for Missouri's young children and their families. We were encouraged to hold policymakers in Jefferson City accountable for their actions (or inactions) by calling them, writing letters to them or visiting their offices to speak to them about making life better for Missouri's children. Together, we advocated tirelessly for legislation in Missouri, provided increased funding for preschools and Head Start programs, and insisted upon child protector seats and seatbelts in automobiles in our state. Our work together saved children's lives. What if Kathy and the rest of us hadn't shown up?”

Anfal Eltahir

“My advice from an important woman is that we women are the strength of life. Women are very important for everything. We must stay strong and together.”

Ashley Feicht

“Be yourself and be confident! Take time to reflect and value yourself Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually.”

Ashley Foster

“I remember my mother telling me “always keep your nails clean” and when I would complain to her about things that bothered me she would ask, “What are you going to do to change it?””

BayLee Rolfe

“My mom was the most influential person in my life. She was a stay at home mom most of life, but now she works here at Meramec. I'd say the most important thing my mom taught me was to try everything. I've lived by this and it has really shaped my life. It's the reason I've played just about every sport, have many unique experiences, tried different styles, and been in many classes that I otherwise wouldn't have taken. There are so many things that I wouldn't know that I love, wouldn't have the stories to tell or things to say that I've tried.”

Bisheng Ahmed

“Be the woman you want to be, not what society tells you to be.”

Carmen Palencia

“You are beautiful, smart, strong! You can accomplish anything you put on your mind. Never, never give up on your dreams to be fearless.”

Carolyn Godfrey

“My STLCC Mentor, Tobie Chapman taught me the importance of networking with hospital affiliates, effectively communicating with students and the significance of detail when writing to prevent errors. Tobie demonstrated confidence as an educator, and I became more confident. Tobie taught me the importance of revealing past mistakes as a novice nurse when teaching because it demonstrated authenticity. She encouraged lifelong learning and advancement in the nursing profession, and most important, she taught me to ruminate on things instead of making decisions hastily.”

Carolyn O’Laughlin

“When building a life with someone, at times you have to just hold hands and jump, knowing that sometimes one of you will hold the other up.”

Cathy Bramlett

“You know girls, it's never too early to moisturize.” - College house mother - Mom Hofferkemp

Charlee Sharpe

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I'm possible” - Audrey Hepburn
“If you're not making mistakes, then you're not making decisions.” - Catherine Cook
“If he can do it, I can do it too!” - Barbara Caton

Cierrah Boone

“Influential words that have been spoken to me from the wisest woman I know are: “Beauty does not come from what you see with the naked eye, it is formed through your actions and the words you think and say. Beauty is a feeling, not an observation, once you feel it, you will be it. Be brave, creative, stand out! I can guarantee there is not one person out there that is you, so embrace it. You are truly beautiful!!” My mother said this to me my freshman year of high school and it has stuck with me to this day as a reminder to continue to project kindness back into the world. Always be aware of what you are doing, how you respond to situations, and what you say to others. You are your actions. You are your words. Never forget and stay beautiful!”

Crystal Kohn

“My mother once told me that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”

Cynthia Ballentine

“My mom always told me two things that have guided me through life: “Don’t sweat the small stuff because all stuff is small stuff.” And “Nothing beats failure, but a try.””

Daphne Drohobyczer

“Adapting to new situations is a sign of success.”

Debbie Corson

““Worry is like a rocking chair; you go back and forth, but you don’t get anywhere.” I heard a COVID-19 nurse on TV say that this is what her mother used to tell her.”

Detria Huddleston

“Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, more beautiful than you imagine, loved more than you know.”

Diana Johnson

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelo

Emily Bene

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” - Ayn Rand

Emily Neal

“I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.”

Erica Thompson

“My granny, as we called her, passed away when I was 14. Most of my memories of her were not things that she said, but how she loved and treated her family. For those 14 years she taught me the power of loving people by channeling your hurts but also your gifts. Let your life always be a gift to someone.”

Ermioni Dhefto

“Be a girl with a mind, a woman with attitude, and a lady with class.”

Everette Corbett

“You don’t exist for anyone but yourself.”

Feleccia Moore-Davis

“Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We cannot be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” - Maya Angelou

Gwendolyn Verhoff

“Be present to the present, to now, and to the wonder of special days when they come.”

Isabelle Herman

“You are very different. Your flaws make you, YOU.”

Ivy Pham

“My mom always tells me that “school lessons are the basics that you need to learn, but the lessons you obtain from experiences, shape who you are.””

Jacqueline Meaders-Booth

“For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11

“With every experience, you alone are painting your own canvas, thought by thought, choice by choice.” - Oprah Winfrey

Jane Isenberg

“My mother used to say that “money can’t buy good manners or an appreciation of art and music.” She raised eight children; all kind, all musical, and all with a love of art.”

Janet Walsh

“My parents have been my best mentors. They both lived very happy and successful lives. I have been able to use their teachings throughout my life and career: “Your education will make things possible. Be confident, independent, self-sufficient, and never rely on a man to make you happy. Be kind to everyone. Respect the views of others. Work is not life. Don’t judge your success in life by the things you have. This one came many years after I left home….No one loves a novel length email!””

Jeanne Florini

“Intentionally cultivate interests and skills in a wide variety of topics and disciplines. This approach allows you to connect with a diverse number of people and encounter new ideas. You continue to grow, but also contribute to the growth of others. The synergistic effect is a truly remarkable experience!”

Jenna Hoffman

“Make every place feel like home.” - Grandma Frieda

Jenna Mueller

“My grandmother told all the engaged to be married ladies in her family (coming in or going out), "not every day is like the fourth of July" and the longstanding, myriad implications of that statement have been true in my 26-year marriage.”

Jessica Daniels

“Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

Joanna Fraser

“You must do the things you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Julie Fickas

“There have been two women that have done the most to inspire me in my life – my mother and my maternal grandmother. When I was young, I was very impatient. My mother used to sing a line from “America, the Beautiful” to me whenever I was being particularly impatient. The line she would sing is, “confirm thy soul in self-control”. To this day, I can hear those words echoing in my mind when I start to get impatient. My grandmother didn’t have a special saying – she was a doer. I learned so much about a work ethic by watching her as I grew up. She worked in the Circuit Clerk’s office at the county courthouse. I would often stop by her office on my way to her house after school. I saw the pride she took in her work. I also saw how she worked at home in addition to the office. Both great ladies also taught me about caring for others by the way they served others. Each of them would jump in to help others whenever they could. I am forever grateful for the influences that each of them has had on my life.”

Julie Tucker

“I followed the example set by my mother and grandmother and returned to college to earn a Master’s Degree in Mathematics when our three children were half raised. I wanted to teach college math full-time, so I had to have a Masters in the subject to be qualified. I was 43 years old when I graduated. It was the hardest two years of my life. I have never regretted it, though. I am now doing the work that I felt called to do. Not only did that additional degree officially qualify me to teach a subject that I have always loved, it provided me with the valuable experience of walking in the shoes of my students, many of whom have work and family responsibilities that complicate the basic challenges of earning a college degree. So my “words of wisdom” are for everyone, but especially for women who are more likely to follow unconventional career paths: It’s never too late. If you are not satisfied with your career opportunities, you have the power to change them through education. I’m not saying it will be easy, but if you want it enough and are willing to make the effort, anything is possible!”

Kaitlin Williams

“Never let someone tell you that you are not enough, you always are and you always will be.” - Jennifer Roberts

Keyerra Collins

“Never let anyone tell you, you are not worthy, because you are worthy. God is a woman and very powerful. You are beautiful and an queen.” - Kiki Collins

Kimberly Crank

“I am what I am because of strong women in my life: my mother, my sisters, my grandmothers, my aunts, cousins, great-grandmothers, great aunts, friends and mentors. I have learned from them what it means to be strong, to endure, to comfort and care for others. Their stories, advice, and example mean everything to me, and I try to preserve them through sharing their stories and photos in our family tree. My ancestors immigrated from Austria and Ireland to St. Louis around the turn of the twentieth century, and without their fortitude, our family would not be here today. I am in awe of their effort, strength, frugality, and survival.”

Kimberlee Vaughn

“Messages from my mother and grandmother: "No matter how tough today tends to be, tomorrow is another day for better opportunities to come. So, wait for it." "You come from a long line of battle-tested people. You can accomplish anything you desire."”

Kristina Mitchell

“A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

Kristina Wideman

“Some days you eat a salad and go to the gym. Some days you eat cupcakes and refuse to put on pants. It’s called balance.”

Laura Ryan

“J. K. Rawling created a world where I felt accepted as a young woman in middle school and high school, a time when a safe space is so valuable. Ginny Weasley, a fellow red headed powerhouse, taught me that anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.”

Lauryn Barnes

“Hate is what weak people use to feel powerful. Keep moving forward even if some people don't support you.”

Leonor Buchanan

“Others can inspire and encourage us, but the ultimate motivation must come from within. No one else can go the distance for you.”

Lesley Sexton

“This isn’t from a woman in my life, but I really connect with it: Said about Elizabeth Warren, “Nevertheless, she persisted.””

Lia Reategui

“The most important woman in my life was my mother. She taught me to fight for what I want, to be a good woman, to be a good mother, to get out of the most difficult situations like breast cancer. My mother and I are survivors of the disease that affects so many people today. I thank my mother who gave me the strength to get ahead. I miss my mother a lot. Her name was Isaura.”

Lisa Wilkerson

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” - Maya Angelo

Lois Sexton

“Always listen to your inner voice.”

Lori Barnes

“You'll sometimes feel discouraged and that’s OK but always keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t let other people control you or put you down. Do what you love no matter what anyone says. Speak your truth.”

Louise Pilley

“You cannot be defined by anyone but yourself. Do whatever makes you happy.”

Lynn Demirchian

“Besides my mom, Ellin Adams and Maya Angelou have always been inspirations for me. These messages were encouraged and communicated to me all throughout my life: 1. “Always be kind.” 2. “Remember that you do not know what experiences the person in front of you has had that day or in life—it may explain their behavior, so be openminded and accepting.” Life is a journey, I’m constantly learning, but these three teachings have stayed with me the whole time!”

Margaret Hvatum

“Coding is hard. Running a marathon is hard. Women can do and should do hard things.”

Maria Gomez

“Make love your vocation.” - Mom

“If someone hurts you, forgive and give them love. They probably need a lot of that.” - Aunt Sarah

“Love yourself first, that way you can give all that love to the world.” - My best friend

Maria Shank

“One of my mom’s favorite sayings is, “Poor planning on your part does not create a crisis on mine.” This struck a chord with me at a young age. Being able to manage day-to-day commitments without creating chaos for others is a sign of maturity and thoughtfulness. That being said, it is also nice to have someone to lean on in true times of need.”

Mary Meyer

“I, like so many, was most influenced by my mother. She was the strongest woman that I have known. Her strength was in her faith, her convictions and in truth. She taught me to laugh hard, to be kind and always remember the less fortunate in prayer and action. I loved when she would tell me that you cannot buy class; it is inside of you and shows in the way you treat others.”

Mary Patterson

“Decide whether it’s your hill to climb. If it is, go for it!”

Maxine Beach

“This is what I’ve learned from the strong women in my life: “Be steadfast. Be courageous. Don't give the naysayers real estate in your head.””

Megan Williams

“One day you will tell your story of how you overcome what you went through And it will be someone's else survival guide.“ - Brene Brown

Melissa Wheeler

“Grow through what you go through.”

Mia Piccione

“Rise to the level of your ideals, not the average of your environment.”

Mia Rorah

“Your life isn't yours if you constantly care what others think.”

Michelle Henriquez

“It's nice to have someone to build a life with. Just make sure you have the means to build a life on your own as well. You never know if or when you'll have to.” - Mother Doris Darden

Mindy Souvannalay

“My mother is the most important woman in my life. Her impact on me doesn’t come from a single piece of advice or a lesson she has passed down. Instead, it comes from the way she carries herself. Throughout my entire life I have seen her remain calm, collected and strong through every struggle she has faced. She is fearless. This is the type of role model I hope to be for my own daughter some day.”

Nikita Thapa

“Just do what you want to do!”

Pam Garvey

“During the Great Depression, my grandfather was fortunate enough to have work as a tool and die maker, a job now replaced by machines. In their neighborhood in Brooklyn, neighbors would tell the hungry and homeless to go to Mary Schmitt (my grandmother) for food. Whatever she had, she'd give. One night, she was preparing two pork chops, one for the four children to split and one for her and my grandfather to split. A man knocked on the door and hadn't eaten in days. She invited him in and fed him and the children the pork chops, and she and my grandfather skipped that meal. I often imagine how beautiful the world would be if it were filled with people like Mary Schmitt.”

Porscha Thompson

“Something my mother says is, “Never allow anyone to steal your joy and happiness. In the real world there are people who don’t want you to be happy, so they will try to bring a negative environment to your life all because they are not happy.”

Phyllis Clayborne

“Never forget where you come from. Whatever you do, give it your best.”

Renee Dingman

“If you're always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” - Maya Angelou

Ruthie Davenport

“Be good or name it after me!” - Nanny

“So, I did!”

Sarah Strubelt

“I learned a long time ago that there is something worse than missing the goal, and that's not pulling the trigger.” - Mia Hamm

“This quote inspires me because I have been feeling as though my goals are not possible for me to reach. I’ve been having a difficult time imagining myself in a future where I have attained my goals that I am currently dreaming of. I know that I will not succeed if I just sit around hoping and dreaming for success. I need to stop holding myself back with negative thoughts and instead tell myself that I can do anything that I put the necessary effort and time in.”

Shamim Ansari

“No one owns me. I own myself. I belong to myself and serve myself first.”

Shannon Nicholson

“As an advocate for people in need, I am consistently inspired by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Despite opposition, she never hesitates to stand up for what is right and inspires others to do the same. In the words of the “notorious RBG, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.””

Shantelle Harris

“On those long hard days, my mother recites these two Bible scriptures to me: 1.“You can do all things through Christ, who strengths You!” 2.“To much is given, much is required!” Once I hear this, it reminds me that no matter what is going on that God is in the midst of it all and all things works together for my good. As a result, I able to persevere though any obstacle I may face.”

Sharon Holt

“If you have something you really want to do or something you feel needs to be done, don't just think about doing it, do it!”

Stephanie Church

“Mother Pat and grandmother Mary Mable. These two women taught me to reach forward, to believe that I could do whatever I put my mind to, and to keep my independence as a sacred part of who I am. My grandmother always said in closing on the phone, “Stephie, don’t ever forget who you are.” I am blessed to have strong women in my life. I am growing up still. I am “becoming” still.”

Tara Mazurek

“You can’t eat the whole elephant, you gotta take bites of it.” - Mom

Telitha Rogers

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” - Helen Keller

Terri Buford

“The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in anyway, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would brother to beat you down if you were not a threat.”

Tiffany Bush

“There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” - Michelle Obama

Tracy Barron

“The World needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will.” - Amy Tenney