Thank you. For many years throughout my life, you have provided me with the support and love I needed, especially from a woman. You’ve shown me what it’s like to be a strikingly caring and supportive female in the face of so much gender inequality today. To all of you, I thank you.

1. Miss Laker (now Mrs.Schoeller):

Thank you for getting me through one of the most difficult times of my entire life. You alone showed me the love I was not getting anywhere else during my seventh and eighth grade years. During this time, I was not kind to you at all in more ways than you may ever know.

Despite this, you reminded me all the time of how smart, kind and potentially successful I was then and would be in the future. Thank you for loving me when no one else did. Thank you for giving me life during the time I first thought about ending mine. Thank you for being my female role model. To you, Happy Mother’s Day.

2. Ms.Ketch:

Thank you for showing me that I am someone. Many days, you were the sole reason I got up and went to school. Since the time I met you until now, you’ve never stopped being a female role model to me. You inspire me in so many different ways, whether that be through telling stories of your own experiences or through making me laugh when I want to cry, you do it all.

You juggle being an amazing mother and teacher all into one human being and there are so many people in this world that are blessed to know you. Thank you for showing me love and kindness. Thank you for getting me to college and for helping me through it. Thank you for being my female role model. To you, Happy Mother’s Day.

3. Mrs.Colbert:

Thank you for opening your home and your heart to me so many times. You’ve made me feel like a part of your family without question and for that I will always be grateful. You’re an amazing role model for many people and I know that you have changed my life forever.

I am so grateful to be in your life. Thank you for never leaving my side and for reminding me that in your heart I will always have a home. Thank you for being an amazing woman and for loving me like your own. Thank you for being my female role model. To you, Happy Mother’s Day

4. Bev:

Thank you for taking me in as your own child. There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t thank God for bringing you into my life because just in one year, you’ve shown me exactly what it means to be an amazing woman. You keep it real with me when I need it and you know exactly when I just need to be heard and given a hug.

This past year, you’ve been the single greatest positive, supportive force in my academic and personal difficulties. Thank you for showing me what it’s like to be loved and have the opportunity to love in return. Thank you for never leaving my side even when I try and force you to. Thank you for being my female role model. To you, Happy Mother’s Day

5. Ms.Henderson:

Thank you for being my OBW, and for giving me the most realistic opportunity to vent and then listen to your response. Many times this year, I’ve found myself in your office laughing about something ridiculous even though on the inside, my heart is breaking. You see straight through my facade and give me the opportunity to be really heard.

Thank you for showing me what it’s like to have a crazy OBW. There truly is no one else like you. Thank you for never giving up on me, for always being real and for standing by my side when I feel alone. Thank you for being my female role model. To you, Happy Mother’s Day.

All of you have changed my life in more ways than you may ever see. When I walk across the stage with my college degree, I will have you all to thank. Most importantly, when I get married and have children, I will know how to be a phenomenal woman, wife and mother because I had all of you to show me the ropes. Because of you all, I'll have the opportunity to teach my own daughter what you all have taught me.

To my female role models, Happy Mother’s Day.

Sincerely,

A young woman whose life you changed forever