Women Talk Women

CREDIT: Flickr / Roy Sinai

Last week, I.M.O.W. hosted a giveaway on our Facebook fan page and through Twitter. To win, followers had to respond to the question, "Who is a woman in history that you admire, and why?"

And that opened the floodgates! It was amazing to see so many enthusiastic--and diverse--responses. I have to admit I hadn't even heard of several of the women our fans were talking about. Here are a few of my favorites:

"LtGen Carol Mutter, retired was the first woman to be nominated and appointed to the rank of LtGen in all of the DOD. Throughout LtGen Mutter's career she continually broke glass ceilings and set the bar higher and higher for the women coming up in the ranks - not only the Marine Corps but throught the armed service. Today, LtGen Mutter continues ... See Moreto influence people from all walks of life with her continued support of not only women in the armed services; but for all servicemembers. I am proud to say I am one of her "Band of Sisters" of the Marine Corps." - Micaila. Mass., USA

"Frida Kahlo - for being her creative, brilliant self/selves and loving/living against all odds" - Deirdre, Portugal

"Margaret Sanger -- despite the controversy surrounding her life, she was an activist who encouraged the use of birth control as a means by which a woman could have control over her life and health." - Tatiana, Cyprus

"Irenda Sendler, a Polish social worker who helped save 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto and finding safe places for them to live. The Nazis captured her, tortured her, and sentenced her death for her work but she gave up no information and escaped on the day of her execution. All 2,500 children ... See Moresurvived the war and she helped reunite them with surviving family members. To me, she represents the best of the human spirit that can come out during the worst of times and how great an impact one person can have." - Holly, Washington D.C.

The answers from our community really touched me, and I was so thrilled to see such thoughtful, meaningful responses. Now tell us: Who is a woman you admire, and why?