My whole life I have struggled with self love and acceptance. Reminiscing on all of the powerful women that have influenced me greatly, I realized, what does it all mean if I don’t influence myself as well? I believe that it’s important to not just hold ourselves accountable for the mistakes we have made, but our progress and accomplishments as well.

I can say that as a 19 year old girl, I have gone through many things that most teenagers never even think about. My life hasn’t been the easiest. I was recently diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease and I have had to adjust my life greatly to this diagnosis. I remind myself everyday that I am strong and that I just need to keep pushing through. I give myself immense credit for all of the lonely nights I only had myself to push me through. All of the times no one could be there for me, so I had to. It’s important for me to love myself and the woman God created me to be.

His vision of me is the biggest influence of all.

Lana Del Rey has been my favorite artist for about six years now. I first started listening to her when I was thirteen and in seventh grade. I saw her at concert for the first time when I was only fourteen and I begged my parents to buy me a ticket. Lana Del Rey has become the only artist that I can resonate with. She has become the only artist that has helped me through any and every situation within the past 6 years. She delicately crafts her lyrics and music to make the listener feel something; to reminisce.

Through her music you feel beauty and pain tying into one, she is able to help you express yourself. As a person she values art very highly, and has taught me to do the same. Lana doesn’t apologize for who she is and embraces everything about herself, even the small weird things.

I remember when I was younger seeing the movie Erin Brockovich staring Julia Roberts for the first time. I believe that this was one of the main films that shaped me into the woman I am today. I never though of woman’s rights much before watching this movie; but you could say I am sort of an activist now. Erin Brockovich accomplished so much besides all of the obstacles that were thrown in her way. She proved everyone’s sexist, classist, opinions of her wrong and single-handedly solved a major problem pushed under the rug by our government.

Brockovich’s unconventional way of solving problems and expressing herself for who she is helped me as a young girl embrace the woman I am and apologize for nothing. Her personality was so big even though society ideals a woman who is quiet and small. So, you can think Erin Brockovich for helping shape the loud, unfiltered, strong woman I am today.

The day after I turned 18, I got in my car as fast as I could and drove to the best tattoo parlor in my city. That day, I got what I had been waiting my whole life for, a violet tattoo on my wrist.

My grandma, Violet Taylor, passed away when I was just 6 years old. Up until that day, and even now, she was the best friend I could’ve asked for. I know grandparents aren’t supposed to pick favorites, but my grandma did, and I was her’s. It’s nice to feel loved and important; she taught me that. Having people in your life that know your worth is extremely important. If you fill the spots of your life with people that don’t care or see your worth, you’re doing a disservice to yourself.

Having a violet tattoo on my wrist reminds me that everyday. I see my grandma as a pillar of strength and unconditional love. She reminds me of my worth when I lose sight, even though she isn’t here anymore.

The relationship I have with my siblings is very unique and special. My older brother and I have an age difference of 23 years, while my sister and I have an age difference of 21 years. Then on the other hand, I have another brother that is 2 years younger than me. Like most of the women in my life, Cathy was an empowering mentor to look up to, and i’m forever grateful that I’m able to call her my sister.

I have vivid memories of staying with her for a week or so in the summer when I was younger, and she never let the age difference impact our relationship. We still stayed up late eating chocolate-brownie ice cream and talking. She was always genuinely interested in my stories and never treated me as if I was “younger” than her. Sure, she had guidance that comes from a 21 year age gap, but it never caused her to look down on me. I think Cathy is a great example of the women we need to be for our younger generations. The way she treated me, (with importance) still sticks with me and is a contributing factor to the woman I am today.

Growing up, I always had a fascination with Marilyn Monroe. She was plastered onto billboards around artsy parts of town, on t-shirts in the mall, and on popular movies and t.v. shows. She was one of the first women that really symbolized what an entire culture defined as beauty. Nowadays people have differing opinions of her. Some say shes a legend while others say she conformed to how society wanted her to be and ended up portraying herself way too promiscuously.

To this day my all time favorite movie is “My Week with Marilyn.” It showcased the struggles she went through as an actress, and the hurt and pain her husband put in her life. The movie was based on true events, by a guy who encountered her during his time in the film industry. It was raw and real, and showed the other side of Marilyn that isn’t seen as often. I related to her a lot. She wore her heart on her sleeve and felt every emotion so deeply. As an actress, I relate to her in the way she method acts and how serious she gets when playing a role.

I see behind her beauty, and the woman who was perceived as the “dumb blonde.” She was deeper than that, she had everything but was still hurting. She took her art-form seriously and made everyone’s head turn when she entered the room. Marilyn Monroe is a legend and will continue to be as we let her live on through us and our works of art.

When creating a blog based on the most influential women in my life, I was almost certain that the first person I had to write about was my mother. Barbara Knight, the initial vision I had of a strong, powerful woman as a young girl. My mother is the pinnacle of perseverance, a symbol of utmost beauty, and the reason for my being. Growing up, I viewed her as superwoman. To this day, I genuinely believe there is nothing my mother can’t do. As I grow older our relationship continues to bloom into something that can be only shared between a mother and daughter. I know that my home is not a place but that it lies within her heart, no matter where she is. When I am weary, I have a home in her, when I rejoice, I have a home in her. There will never come a time when she isn’t a safe haven for my troubles or the first person I want to share my good news with.

My mother always puts her children first, no matter what the circumstances are. I remember when I had surgery for the first time and my pain was unbearable; she was the only person I wanted to comfort me. I was difficult to deal with, and grossly demanding. Still she stuck by my side with a smile and told me that everything was going to be okay. When I’m difficult to deal with, my life’s a mess, or I’m lost with no sense of direction, my mother never fails to convey pure, unconditional, love; just as God show’s all of His children. My mother is an amazing woman, and there are no words to exactly describe how important to me she is.

On the first day of my COM110 (Communication Technology) class, we were taught the “sticky” message. For a story, advertisement, etc. to be sticky, it has to be:

Simple

Unexpected

Concrete

Credible

Emotional and a

Story.

We were told to pick a story that was ‘sticky’ to us. I chose the movie, “My Week with Marilyn.” That movie in particular was very touching to me because of how impactful the story was.

The movie showcased Marilyn Monroe’s life and her struggle with depression. With it’s beautiful cinematics and beautiful instrumentation “My Week with Marilyn” was touching to it’s audience and showcased the perfect ‘sticky’ story.