There are those who aren't interested in what women have to say — they would rather place us as props in a man's story. It's hard not to get dejected when you realize you may not be the protagonist of your own life, but I found solace in the lives of of the strong, interesting, complicated women around me. Women who didn't wait for the world to come to them but rather went after the world. Women who refused to be furniture in someone else's house. These were the women who saved me from myself, who made me want to grow up, and into, the fullest expression of who I could be.

For as long as I can remember, I've kept a running list of exceptional women in my mind. This is my list; it's not perfect or complete. There are still those whose stories and voices have yet to be heard. I hope one day I can add them to my list. But mostly, I hope you have your own list, and that it never stops growing.