BlogHer - lucille ball - Comments

My top five...

hsaxton — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:49:21 -0500

1. Amy Carmichael: 18th century Scottish Presbyterian missionary who invested her life rescuing children sold as temple prostitutes in India, and writing truly inspired poetry. Her biography "A Chance to Die" is on my shelf of books to be removed from the house in the event of fire. As an adoptive mother, I find her dedication to mothering motherless children inspiring.

2. Ruth Bell Graham. Billy's wife, and possibly the greatest person I've ever had the chance to meet. Went antiquing with her and her daughter Gigi several years ago, and marveled at her easy grace that belied the powerhouse that she was. Billy often said that he would still be a humble street preacher if it had not been for Ruth ... and I for one don't think he was overstating it.

3. I'm with you on Teresa of Avila and Dorothy Day. Both women had something of a "past" before they encountered God in a life-changing way. Both wrote passionately about things of eternal significance. When I get to heaven, I'd like to have tea with them both.

4. Mary Cassat: She stands out among the Impressionists as a singular feminine voice, shedding light not just on lilypads and waterfalls but on motherhood and family.

5. Chiara Lubich (http://beholdyourmotherbook.blogspot.com/2008/03/rest-in-peace-chiara-lubich.html), founder of the Focolare Movement, an ecumenical outreach that was marked by love and peace, bringing people from all backgrounds together.

Heidi Saxton Extraordinary Moms Network (http://extraordinarymomsnetwork.wordpress.com)

Hi Mata! You are Welcome!

Lovebabz — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:39:17 -0500

Everytime I think of this woman...I get chills! Can you imagine what she endured to work and to bring the shame of lynching to the forefront. She worked to get lynching laws repealed..banned! Under great odds to herself and to those around her and yet she pressed on.

Oh I just love her and I am glad you found her.

Love,

Babz

Hi Babz !

Mata H — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:18:04 -0500

Nice to see you again!

Well, I am embarrassed. I confess that did not know who Ida B Wells was. Shame on me, and shame on the US educational system that should have told me. If it were not for women keeping all these names alive for each other, imagine the loss!

Great list there!

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

no such thing as perfection

Mata H — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:12:56 -0500

I believe that we are all flawed -- saints or not -- it is just that the people we call saints use what they have to everyone's best benefit. I love the Leonard Cohen song that has a line "There is a crack in everything -- that's how the light gets in.."

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

6 Inspiring Women to Me...

Lovebabz — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:26:07 -0500

My 5 6 would be:

1) Barbara Jordan

2) Eleanor Roosevelt

3) Golda Mier

4) Cicely Tyson

5)Shirley Chisholm

6) Ida M. Wells

Love,

Babz

Saints - then and now...

Grumpus — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:40:08 -0500

I was all fired up to mention Dian Fossey, a woman whose career I find most compelling. I notice now your link to Sarah Conner and I'm looking forward to combing through her site.

I know that when you look closely at the others' lives bits will often (usually) stand out that make them seem controversial or dubious, especially if the topic is 'sainthood'...but we are all fallible. The fact that people can overcome our inherent human failings, and instead forge paths of truth and goodness, is wonderful to be reminded of.

Death, nuns, gas station hot dogs, and the coming zombie apocalypse.
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