I ain’t no history buff, okay? I’m just a chick who got sucked into reading about history’s most influential women while dodging dishes in my sink. Last weekend, I was at this funky café in Southeast Portland, sipping overpriced chai, when I started reading about Rosa Parks (source). I legit spilled my drink when I read she sparked a movement by just… sitting. Meanwhile, I’m stressing about sitting through a Zoom meeting without yawning. These women, they’re like, “Go big or go home,” and I’m over here like, “Go home and nap.”
Like, take Maya Angelou. Her words hit like a punch (source). I was whining to my bestie over beers about feeling “meh” about my job, and she goes, “What would Maya say?” I mumbled something about courage, but it stuck. These women didn’t just live—they rewrote the damn rules.
Lessons from History’s Most Influential Women: Guts and Heart
Guts, y’all. I’m not exactly Miss Courageous—I once hid in my car to avoid a networking event. But someone like Harriet Tubman? She didn’t just escape; she went back for others (source). I was munching cold fries on my porch, rain dripping on my shoes, reading about her, and I felt so small. Her guts were quiet but fierce, like the hum of my fridge at 3 a.m. when I’m stress-eating.
Then there’s heart. Malala Yousafzai got shot for wanting to learn, and came back with more love than hate (source). I was sprawled on my floor, surrounded by laundry, watching her documentary, and I’m like, “I can’t even handle a paper cut.” Her heart’s this mix of soft and steel, and it makes me wanna be less petty when my neighbor steals my parking spot.
- Guts Tip: When I’m scared, I think of Harriet and do one tiny thing—like texting my boss about that idea I’ve been sitting on.
- Heart Tip: Malala’s my vibe check. I try to let go of small grudges, even if it’s just not cussing out my Wi-Fi.
My Total Screw-Ups Channeling History’s Most Influential Women
Oh, I’ve flopped hard. I tried to “be bold” like Cleopatra and pitched this wild project at work. Disaster. I stuttered, my slides were a mess, and my boss gave me that “nice try” smile. I went home, ate a whole sleeve of Oreos, and sulked. But Cleopatra? She lost battles and still ruled Egypt like a boss (source). My Oreo binge taught me failing’s just… life.
Another time, I tried to “write like Maya” and started a poetry journal. Y’all, it’s got two poems and a to-do list. I was sitting in my chilly apartment, rain pelting the roof, feeling like a fraud. But Maya’s words were raw, not perfect. I’m learning to embrace my half-baked attempts, even if they’re more “grocery list” than “literary genius.”
Stuff About History’s Most Influential Women That Surprised Me
Real talk: I didn’t always get the hype. Like, I read about Simone de Beauvoir and was like, “Cool, feminist, but why’s she so intense?” (source). I was at a laundromat, my socks unpaired, scrolling on my phone, and it clicked: her intensity was her power. She wrote truth while I’m just trying to write a coherent email. I don’t vibe with all her ideas, but I respect her fire.
And then there’s Ada Lovelace, the OG coder (source). I was curled up in bed, rain making my window all streaky, and I teared up reading about her. She saw magic in numbers, while I’m over here struggling with basic math. Her brain makes me wanna dream bigger, even if my dream’s just “maybe I’ll fix my leaky faucet.”
Wrapping Up My Thoughts on History’s Most Influential Women
So, yeah, I’m here, my cat now passed out on my laptop, rain still drumming outside, and I’m just… in awe of history’s most influential women. They’re like the besties I never met, showing me how to be brave, messy, and real. I’m not out here saving the world, but I’m trying to save my little corner of it, one clumsy step at a time. If these ladies taught me anything, it’s to keep going, even when I’m tripping over my own feet. Which, let’s be real, is often.
Outbound links:
- In the third paragraph, after the mention of the National Women’s History Museum, a natural link can be: “…Check out the National Women’s History Museum’s online exhibits online exhibits; they have some amazing stories.”
- In the fourth paragraph, after the sentence about biographies, a link to a reputable source for biographies would be beneficial: “…You can find some great biographies on platforms like Biography.com.”
- In the final paragraph, in the closing sentence, a link to the National Women’s History Alliance is a strong call-to-action: “…You can also explore resources from organizations like the National Women’s History Alliance for further reading.”
