Consider this my virtual award to 10 very powerful 'women' of 2013, in my opinion, who no doubt inspired me positively and unknowingly with and through their various hard works, achievements, contributions, personalities, success drive, positive outlook, departure from stereotypes, positive image representations and lifestyle. Here is also hoping you can get inspired from my list, draw up your own list too (mentally) or even share!
1. Especially, and firstly to Mo Abudu. This is one heck of a powerful entrepreneur! I mean, check out DSTV Channel 165! I did not think I would say this in a million years as I am so very hard with compliments. But this is one woman who is indeed over qualified to become Queen of whatever she will like to be called queen of as I have discovered, consented to and shamefully admitted only recently. There is no other woman in my opinion, who better understands and knows how best to 'tune' propaganda positively - be it, entertainment, commercially to say the least. Privileged to be on a flight with her to London United Kingdom recently, only gave me yet another opportunity to see how really simple and down-to-earth this business tycoon truly is. To eulogize and idolize Mo Abudu's achievements - not easy, outstanding drive and works till date is a necessity. I will like to add that the Legacy Lives Concert at Ocean View, Lagos, Nigeria, on December 18th, 2013, to celebrate Nelson Mandela was a fantastic initiative from the entire Ebony Life TV crew and for me a huge success as I was there present.
2. Adora Oleh, for your achievements in your fast-become competitive industry, your hard work, your passion and fierce determination to succeed onward, your ability to take on more challenging roles, out-compete yourself, push yourself and set the standards really high. There can only be so much more in waiting for this gorgeous lady. Agree!
3. Malika Bilal of The Stream on Aljazeera! Boy I love this lady, her style, her positive image... she makes me want to try out hijabs. In my opinion, this is one very hardworking, highly intelligent, knowledgeable and research vast beautiful lady, who has a remarkable sky-high self esteem, and has managed - and very well done by the way - to depart from Islamic Stereotypes and put an individuality to her definition of modesty.
4. Michelle Obama, and why not if not! It is not everyday we see a First lady who covers an edition of VOGUE, you will have to be a super stylish icon to do that... but to cover it TWICE, and possibly as I envisage a third cover before the Obamas leave office, is to register a powerful image statement I cannot but see, feel, want to celebrate and be a part of. Her excellency is such an inspiration to me - I really do try to emulate her... i really do; her person, her strong and impeccable character, very volatile yet subtle veto role and power in office and distinct contributions to list the least only wants to make me term her rather too quickly 'a softer side of Nelson Mandela'.
5. Christina Rasmussen - I do not remember how I stumbled upon this fascinating woman well over a year ago on Twitter but she is one of the most important persons in my life whom I have never met in person but I am privileged and very lucky to know. Author of hit and sold out book before print, Second Firsts: Live, Laugh and Love Again (http://www.secondfirsts.com/) - Christina, through her messages to me, and also generally on twitter and e-mail no doubt contributed immensely to my total 'rebirth'.
6. Beyonce Carter - Every time i think Beyonce, I think Hard Worker. Strong Woman. Successful Woman - not at all costs, but with all it takes. She is one rare woman who has built the reputation and image of herself and her family globally and noticeably beyond the walls of just only entertainment. She is a wife, mother, help and soul mate extraordinaire. Jay Z is indeed another very lucky man.
7. Kendra Richards - Fashion and Celebrity MakeUp Artist and creator of Heir Atelier Ultimate Make Up Prep®, Kendra pushes the envelope no doubt. She is one warm and really kind lady whom I have also been privileged to exchange a few memorable pleasantries with on Twitter. Kendra no doubt and unknowingly to her, is one of my biggest muses of 2013, having been able to learn and be inspired by the very powerful and purposeful quotes she tweets regularly, her outstanding contributions to the Image Industry (with clients ranging from Cindy Crawford to Justin Timberlake and media representations from Vogue, Vanity Fair to E! Entertainment ) and essentially, her very warm and sweet self. So it is only fair I put here one of my favorite quotes from a healthy pile of her many #HeirAtelierQuotes, this time, by Anne Klein which she tweeted recently - "Clothes aren't going to change the world, the women who wear them will". Kendra's portfolio, resume and clientele list is quite humbling... you will have to see for yourself http://www.heiratelier.com/
8. Imani Perry Ph.D.,J.D is a very young and beautiful PROFESSOR (I needed to stress that) of African American studies at Princeton. I first saw Imani on The Stream on Aljazeera where she had been invited as one of the contributors on a very sensitive topic - "Beyond the Angry Black Woman" : How do slavery-era stereotypes continue to impact black women in the US? Gosh! so badly I wanted to go in through my TV and give her a hug for her insight and sound responses. I could not help but watch and re-watch that episode over and over again because she just reminded me of who I am, who I should be, how cool it is to be well read, knowledgeable and thoroughly grounded in research and how important it is to be informed. It was (no) surprise that my father who had also been watching that particular episode over and over again spotted Imani Perry and likened her to his daughters. Yea! You can watch that powerful inspiring conversation/talk here: The Stream: Beyond 'The Angry Black Woman' I am not sure of any parent or adult or youth that would watch that episode and will not be greatly inspired by the contributions from the nice line up of female folks there in.
9. Serena Jameka Williams is my favorite female sports personality and the biggest successful comeback player in my opinion that the tennis world has ever seen. Her past, recent achievements and successful career makes her undoubtedly one of my biggest muses of 2013. Her deep, compelling, and inspiring words during an interview with AP sums it all up: "Whenever I lose, I get more determined, and it gives me something more to work toward...I don't get complacent, and I realize I need to work harder and I need to do better and I want to do better — or I wouldn't keep playing this game." It was such a big honour to have her as well as her sister, Venus, touch Nigerian soil through the Breaking The Mould initiative in 2012 and a rare privilege for me to be allowed media access to the William sisters at the Tennis Clinic held at for them at Ikoyi Club in Lagos, Nigeria.
"Williams won plenty this year. She went 78-4 with 11 titles, including at the French Open and U.S. Open, raising her Grand Slam championship total to 17. She compiled a 34-match winning streak. She earned more than $12 million in prize money, a record for women's tennis. In February, she became the oldest No. 1 in WTA rankings history and never left that perch. Thanks to all of that, Williams was honored on 25th December, 2013, as The Associated Press 2013 Female Athlete of the Year".
10. Zuriel Oduwole, the last but not the least here certainly is a perfect example to buttress the saying "Age is just a number". Zuriel Oduwole started out at age 9 when she had to interview Jerry Rawlings as part of a school project; it was during that project that she discovered the educational disadvantages of the girl child and began her mission. Advocating for education for the girl child in Africa at the age of 10, she has already established herself and discovered early her purpose in life having interviewed over 10 world presidents, celebrities and business moguls. Today, she is celebrated as the youngest person appointed Ambassador in Tanzania as well as the youngest person ever interviewed by Forbes. Now age 11, Nigerian Zuriel is undoubtedly my biggest celebrated muse of 2013. She is such an inspiration and the most perfect example of an outstanding (child) role model. Recently, Zuriel Oduwole was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in New African Magazine. Did you say Wow! Well done princess.
9. Serena Jameka Williams is my favorite female sports personality and the biggest successful comeback player in my opinion that the tennis world has ever seen. Her past, recent achievements and successful career makes her undoubtedly one of my biggest muses of 2013. Her deep, compelling, and inspiring words during an interview with AP sums it all up: "Whenever I lose, I get more determined, and it gives me something more to work toward...I don't get complacent, and I realize I need to work harder and I need to do better and I want to do better — or I wouldn't keep playing this game." It was such a big honour to have her as well as her sister, Venus, touch Nigerian soil through the Breaking The Mould initiative in 2012 and a rare privilege for me to be allowed media access to the William sisters at the Tennis Clinic held at for them at Ikoyi Club in Lagos, Nigeria.
"Williams won plenty this year. She went 78-4 with 11 titles, including at the French Open and U.S. Open, raising her Grand Slam championship total to 17. She compiled a 34-match winning streak. She earned more than $12 million in prize money, a record for women's tennis. In February, she became the oldest No. 1 in WTA rankings history and never left that perch. Thanks to all of that, Williams was honored on 25th December, 2013, as The Associated Press 2013 Female Athlete of the Year".
10. Zuriel Oduwole, the last but not the least here certainly is a perfect example to buttress the saying "Age is just a number". Zuriel Oduwole started out at age 9 when she had to interview Jerry Rawlings as part of a school project; it was during that project that she discovered the educational disadvantages of the girl child and began her mission. Advocating for education for the girl child in Africa at the age of 10, she has already established herself and discovered early her purpose in life having interviewed over 10 world presidents, celebrities and business moguls. Today, she is celebrated as the youngest person appointed Ambassador in Tanzania as well as the youngest person ever interviewed by Forbes. Now age 11, Nigerian Zuriel is undoubtedly my biggest celebrated muse of 2013. She is such an inspiration and the most perfect example of an outstanding (child) role model. Recently, Zuriel Oduwole was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in New African Magazine. Did you say Wow! Well done princess.
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