The Gift of Influence

aarp.org

This month we honor women around the globe who have impacted our lives throughout history.

Stop and consider who you would list as the 10 most influential women in your life. They may include those who left an indelible mark in society, changing it forever—like Rosa Parks, Florence Nightengale, or Mother Teresa. Perhaps you revere women of the Bible and seek to model your life after their examples—such as Ruth, Esther, or Mary. Or, Christian women whose words and lives shaped yours—like Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, or Fanny Crosby. Most likely, you will list a female figure in your family heritage, such as mom, grandma, or auntie.

We live in a dynamic time in history when women make profound differences in our homes, culture, and churches. Take this month to honor contemporary women of influence in your life. Included in my list are writers and leaders, such as Carolyn Custis James, Ann Voskamp, and Anne Lamott. Each of these women thinks deeply, struggles with life and theology, and speaks words that instruct, inspire and challenge.

While we thank God for the women who impact our lives, we fervently pray for the next generations. May our daughters, granddaughters, and younger women around the world grow strong and be ready to speak and live words of truth, grace, and peace in a changing world.

Every woman has a story to tell. (For one example, see this week's article on Diana Trujillo, "NASA Trailblazer's Inspiring Journey.")

Do you have a story to tell? If you have a story you would like to share with other SeniorLiferstyle readers about someone who has been a hero, mentor, role model or special influence for you, use the Contact Form to tell your story, or send a Word or PDF document as an attachment to submissions@seniorlifestyle.org. We will also consider video links.