Thirteen women who made a difference--without being a mom

Mother's day is approaching.

I'm not a mother. I am trying to become one. I've been trying to become one for the past six years and it is not easy. Go ahead and read around my blog if you want to know what's going on.

For women who have suffered through infertility, pregnancy loss, or gd forbid the loss of a child after birth Mothers day is so very hard. While we know, in our heads that infertility is a "couple" problem so many people will assume that it is the woman who is "broken." Take time this mothers day to give an extra hug to the women in your life who are not mothers and tell them that they have made a difference in your life.

Without the following women our lives would be much poorer. We (American women) would not be able to vote. We would be without trailblazers. Though a lot of women make a difference through their children, these women made a difference by themselves.

Thirteen Women who made a difference--without being a mom

1) Joan of Arc

2) Julia Child

3) Georgia O'Keefe

4) Elizabeth Blackwell, MD

5) Emily Dickinson

6) Harriet Tubman

7) Helen Keller

8) Katherine Hepburn

9) Susan B. Anthony

10) Gloria Steinem

11) Amelia Earhart

12) Oprah Winfrey

13) Mother Teresa

For the mothers, I wish you a happy mothers day.
For those who have lost their mothers--I wish you comfort
For those who are hoping to become mothers--I wish you luck and speed on your journey
For those who are childless (not by choice)-- I wish you comfort and the knowledge you are not alone.
For those who are childfree by choice--You Go Girls! You made a decision to swim against the stream--go you!

"There are no great things, only small things with great love." --Mother Teresa

Comments

[Starrlight]

What a great list. Happy TT!

[Missy]

As a woman that is unable to have children, this list is inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

[Gabriella Hewitt]

My aunt never had kids. She's an absolute star in my life.

My first pregnancy didn't succeed. Everyone (friends, relatives) seemed to be popping babies out left and right. It was hard and painful and I felt guilty for not wanting to be around them. I'm not sure there's any answer except time.

I wish you well.

[Dane Bramage]

What an inspiring list. Thanks for visiting My Thursday 13 #41 13 De-motivational Posters Kind of de-inspirational by comaapison to yours :-)

[Kristi]

That is an amazing list... I've suffered through 2 mc's ... with no "reason" in sight. And though I love my family and have the full support of the DH, Sunday is going to be hard for me. Again.

On the brighter side, a full-term pg (for us) isn't out of the question...and there is always adoption.

Happy TT!

[she]

I, like you am not a mother. Unlike you, I don't desire to be one. However, I really appreciated your list this week because it brings to mind that women can make a huge impact on the world around them, and individuals as well, without having necessarily given birth or raised children. Thank you.

[Megan]

Thanks for this list. There are a lot of people I admire on that list and now I have a new way of thinking about them. Best wishes for your Thursday.

[MM del Rosario]

it is very true, these women have made a lot of difference by being themselves and by helping others.thanks for sharing this inspirng list.

[Miss Frou Frou]

What a great list... I've been coming to terms with the fact that as a very much single, 46 year old, babies aren't going to happen for me... so this helps a lot

[Rene Lyons]

Fantastic list. Very inspiring.

[Barb]

This is great list of women! Praying that you succeed in your try to have a child. It took us 4 years for our first try. And, he just turned 39 yesterday. :)

My TT is up.

[Aimee]

This is such a great post. Thank you so much for sharing it.

[rhian]

this is awesome list! I see at least nine names that have profoundly inspired me at different times in my life.

[SusieJ]

I love this list. I put it on stumbled upon, and Digg for you.

[Dragonheart]

Wonderful list! A woman certainly does not need to be a mother to make a difference. My humans have chosen not to have children and its amazing how many people give them grief over such a personal decision (due to a medical condition, its unlikely my human female could have children, even if she wanted them.) Thank you for this wonderful post!

[Dewey]

This is such a beautiful post. I fall into three of your categories, so Mother's Day is always a day of such mixed feelings for me.

Aside from that, those are some of my favorite women up there! :)

[Jennifer of Dog.Yarn.Knit.]

Thank you for your list. This was wonderful. And thank you for taking some time to honor those of us who are not mothers.

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Wonderful reminder!

[Hopeful Spirit]

Wonderful post and reminder that whether to become a mother is truly a personal decision. It simply isn't right for every woman.

[fully operational battle station]

I love this list. I saw something siliar to this from a book called "Baby NOT on board"--- loved it.

Jamie

[Ali]

A great, great post. In this pregnancy obsessed People Magazine world that we are living in, I appreciate you honoring women's creative ventures outside of childbearing. Yes, mothers are wonderful, but so are all their daughters. There are so many ways to be a woman!