"A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurtureand transform." - Diane Mariechild

Halloween came and went, I spent Halloween night in the school library studying for exams. I did take advantage of the $3 burrito if you come in costume to Chipotle.

Since my school could not celebrate Halloween on the 31st we decided to celebrate it on the 4th after our grueling 4 hour cardiology exam. I had about 4 hours to put a costume together, and if you know me I never buy out of the box costumes.

I really love to put costumes together because its usually cheaper and I am usually more satisfied with how it turns out. This year I decided to be one of my hero's Amelia Earhart. I had all the parts of the outfit, minus the pants (that cost $3 at the Goodwill) and the goggles (which I made out of paper cups and duct-tape). We share the same birthday, which I only realized after I had already put together my costume and I even took my first flight lesson a little under two weeks ago so I was all ready to get into character.

I have been influenced greatly through my childhood and even today by many strong women, who persevered even through rough times and inequality. They have given me the courage to pursue higher education, travel the world alone, and advocate for women's rights. I would like to tell you a little bit about my present female role models.

Me and Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart - first woman pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. She disappeared in 1937 when she was flying an around the world trip with her copilot Fred Noonan. 

"Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others" -Ameilia Earhart

Malala Yousafzai- This young advocate for the education of women was shot riding a school bus at the age of 15. She continues to promote the education of women around the world. My favorite quote from her was a recent episode of The Daily Show with Jon Steward where she says:

Malala Yousafzai

"I used to think that the Talib would come, and he would just kill me. But then I said, “If he comes, what would you do Malala?” Then I would reply to myself, “Malala, just take a shoe and hit him.” But then I said, “If you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib. You must not treat others with cruelty and that much harshly, you must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and through education.” Then I said, “I will tell him how important education is and that I even want education for your children as well.” And I will tell him, “That’s what I want to tell you, now do what you want.” - Malala Yousafzai

Rachel Carson - One of the leaders in the environmental research, she uncovered the dangers of synthetic pesticides. The wrote a famous book Silent Spring which helped initiate the movement that banned DDT, a harmful pesticide that was jeopardizing the coastal aquatic ecosystems.

Clockwise from top left: Marie Curie, Rosa Parks,
Rachel Carson

Marie Curie - Her work in radioactivity and chemistry made her the first woman to ever win the Nobel Prize in 1911. Her and her husband discovered two elements polonium and radium. Marie gave the money she won from her Nobel Prize as well as other gifts to further scientific study.

"life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."- Marie Curie

Rosa Parks - Known as the first lady of the civil rights movement, Rosa became an role model by resisting to give her seat up to a white passenger on a bus. She was arrested for her act of defiance but it made her an icon in the civil rights movement.

"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right" - Rosa Parks

Clockwise from left: Joan of Arch, Elizabeth Blackwell,
Susan B Anthony

Joan of Arch - In knight's attire Joan of Arch lead the French army into many victorious battles. She was condemned of heresy due to her improper wearing of men's cloths and sentenced to death.

Susan B Anthony - known for her work as a suffragist, Susan also promoted women education and fair pay for female professionals. She served as Vice-President for the National American Woman Suffrage Association where she campaigned in western states to allow women to vote. She died in 1909 before women were given the right to vote. In 1920 the Susan B Anthony amendment passes finally allowing women to vote in all 50 states.

Elizabeth Blackwell - The first female physician to graduate in the USA. She promoted women in healthcare and revolutionized the teaching of medicine. After being asked to excuse herself during the lecture on reproduction in the attempt to protect her "feminine modesty" from such a dirty subject, she replied by saying that reproductive medicine is an important part of medicine and that it should not be viewed as dirty or immodest. She always believed that women deserved the same education as men.

"It is not easy to be a pioneer - but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world." - Elizabeth Blackwell

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall - Known as the worlds expert on chimpanzees after her 45 year study in Tanzania. She discovered surprising new insight into their abilities, including their use of tools and their violent behaviors. She is an advocate for animals and a strict vegetarian.

"Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right." -Jane Goodall

Mother Teresa - After being overwhelmed by the suffering in India, Mother Teresa started the Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic organization which still provide soup kitchens, orphanages, schools, HIV/AIDS, leprosy and TB clinics in 133 countries. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa