Barbara Brown Taylor pictured on her farm with her chickens (I hope I kind of look like that one day, chickens in arm and all). I first fell in love with Taylor's writing when I serendipitously stumbled onto her book at a Border's that was going out of business about a year and a half ago. I loved the cover and read that she was a former Episcopal priest but now resides on her farm, worshipping God in the many 'altars in the world' (the name of the book, in fact - Altars in the World); from that book I've been hooked on her memoirs, lectures, sermons, and essays. Altars in the World inspired the name of my blog actually! Her writing is poignant and helps challenge and encourage my spiritual growth in so many ways.
Jessica Chastain - It might seem odd to follow a writer/theologian with an actress, but I'm just loving this woman's talent, not to mention her choice of roles. She's one of those actresses you have to take a double-take to recognize in films (I did this recently when watching The Debt). There's not one of her movies I've seen that I haven't enjoyed - - Tree of Life, The Help, Take Shelter, The Debt, all great films I highly recommend!
Melissa Harris-Perry - Scott and I have begun watching her show on MSNBC airing on weekends at 10 am. I wrote about her segment on The Help a week ago and I hope to blog something about her segment this past weekend on America's Education. You'll definitely hear about her if you're tuning into my blog!
My mother is of course another woman who has served as a source of encouragement, empowerment, inspiration, and challenge in my life; I am the woman I am today in part because of her guidance and presence in my life. I'm married and living miles away from her but we still talk every couple days or so. Last year when I wrote a memoir in my feminist memoir class, my teacher noted the significance my mother played in shaping my me, even in ways that we're different.
Amy Tan says it best in her book The Joy Luck Club, a fascinating story (and movie) about the mysteries of the mother-daughter relationship: "I was born to my mother and I was born a girl. All of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way."
What women encourage, inspire, empower, and challenge you?
Another inspiring post! This may end up sparking an art project for me. :) There is truly such a long list of women that have inspired and challenged me.
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