In honor of International Women’s Day, a few members of the Prospective staff share their female role models and how they have impacted their lives.

“The most influential woman in my life is my mother for teaching me that at the core of everything we do should be love.” – Maya Jackson, 11

“One of my female heroes is Margaret Sorrows. When I was a yearbook editor for her in high school, she taught me almost everything I know about journalism, and she continues to be an awesome mentor and friend. I am honored that she wanted me to take her job when she retired last year and that I have an opportunity to carry on the prestigious journalism tradition she established at Bryant High School.” – Lisa Stine, adviser

“The woman I look up to [even though she isn’t that much older than me] is Lauren Daigle. She’s a Christian singer and the way she uses her talent to spread the love of God is so amazing to me. When she was in high school she was diagnosed with an illness that was an immune deficiency which means she would catch anything and everything. So she put her calling from God [singing] on the back burner for a while, but continued to fight, and now is very well known and spreads the word of Jesus around the world. She is truly an inspiration for me.” – Sarah Bullington, 12
“I look up to India.Arie. She not only embodies what it means to be a respectable and influential woman of color, she also embodies what it means to have pride in everything that you do. Her music has helped me feel represented over the years, and was a part of encouraging me to go back to my natural hair. Her music carries the message of self-love and encouragement that resonates with me to this day.” – Jay Peterson 12