Josie Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Help me think of a woman who started with nothing and became something--great--for lack of a better word. I need someone who is inspirational to girls. I would like for her to be American, but that isn't necessarily required. The something *great* doesn't have to mean rich, just someone who really contributed to society. This is for a biographical speech. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Oprah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Oprah? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Oprah We posted at the same time, but I see you have much more conviction :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NapLover Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Had to use my first post to recommend my favorite heroine... Harriet Tubman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Founder of Auntie M's Pretzles...if I am remembering correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Mother Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Helen Keller Annie Sullivan, Helen's teacher Amelia Earhart Condoleeza Rice Laura Ingalls Wilder I also agree with Harriet Tubman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Lillian Vernon. She started her business at her kitchen table selling a personalized bag and matching belt. She turned that into a multi-million dollar company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Single mom, paralyzing anxiety disorder. Started selling bagged lunches, eventually opened a restaurant, etc. Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Molly Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not US, but.... J.K. Rowling. As a single mom I look up to that woman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Not US, but.... J.K. Rowling. As a single mom I look up to that woman. She grew up in a middle class household, went to university, got her degree, got married and ended up with a child and a broken marriage. She did live on benefits (welfare) for a while, but had a supportive family and, contrary to the myth, never lived in an unheated apartment. She wrote in a cafe because her daughter would fall asleep on the walk there and give her the peace to write, not because she was freezing at home. She did suffer from depression, but she was about to start on a teaching course when her first book was published. She's clearly a tough and talented woman but she didn't start with nothing. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sojourner Truth Georgia O'Keeffe Barbara McClintock Would Sandra Day O'Connor meet your requirements? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Maya Angelou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay cosmetics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 The unnamed food truck lady in this chapter of John Gatto's online book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 My first thought for some reason was Victoria Woodhull... But perhaps that's not exactly the sort of character you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Maya Angelou :iagree: Her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings had a profound effect on me when I was in college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I googled -- rags to riches women -- and it found several interesting, not particularly famous, possibilities. A CEO of Xerox named Ursula M. Burns A CEO of the Tennessee Bun company named Cordia Harrington Or maybe Celine Dion? Or Jewel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) http://www.mamie.com/ Mamie McCullough grew up dirt poor in a large family, but managed to get through college (mainly because the college president's wife took pity on her) and become successful. She became a single parent when her husband died from a heart attack. It's been 20 years since I heard her speak, but I still remember her saying that she knows she's rich because her house has paint on the siding and glass in the windows. That puts things in perspective when I think things are rough! Edited October 17, 2011 by LizzyBee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Had to use my first post to recommend my favorite heroine... Harriet Tubman This was going to be my suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 If you are looking for someone who started with nothing: Loretta Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 (edited) Clara Barton Mary McLeod Bethune Grace Hopper (fascinating woman, although I can't tell much about her early years. I don't think she came from wealth, but I don't think she was in poverty either) Edited October 17, 2011 by mandymom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkholland Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I see someone else posted her name, but I was thinking Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton They came from very poor beginnings and rose to fame doing what they loved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 My first thought for some reason was Victoria Woodhull... But perhaps that's not exactly the sort of character you want. Heh, heh :lol: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Madam C.J. Walker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria from IN Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129753532 Liz Murray, from the movie Homeless to Harvard She published a book last year called Breaking Night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I am reading Paula Deen's book right now and WOW did she have a rough life-yikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The hero? Woman mentioned at our cross country running team is, Wilma Rudoplh. After a childhood battle with polio she was told she would never walk again. She won a medal at the olmypics for track. http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=wilmaRudolph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Mary Harris Jones (Mother Jones) Lucy Parsons Dolores Huerta Rigoberto Menchu (Guatelmalan) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Helen Keller came from an affluent background. Condoleeza Rice was not poor; her parents were teachers iirc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 My first thought for some reason was Victoria Woodhull... But perhaps that's not exactly the sort of character you want. She's on my top 10 list of women I admire. Suffragette, anarchist (leaning), free love advocat, presidential candidate. What's not to love about her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Coco Chanel? Not American, but grew up as an orphan after her mother died and dad abandoned her. She made some questionable choices in men so I'm not sure if she's exactly what you're looking for, but she did have a huge impact on fashion and was from a difficult background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyrooch Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Not US, but.... J.K. Rowling. As a single mom I look up to that woman. I was going to say J.K. Rowling too. I often use her as a motivation for my children to write more often. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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