Celebrating Great Women

International Women's Day happened a week ago and it got me to thinking about the amazing women in my life. In particular, the women who's had an enormous impact on me: my grandmother.

Growing up, my Nan was this incredible force. She was the kind of grandmother who would always pack lollies in her bag for a day out, was always quick to offer to look after my little sister and I, and she always let us eat dinner in front of the TV. Yeah, we lived it up at Nan's place.

This picture of my Nan comes with me everywhere

She used to tell us stories of how she could add up sums faster than someone using a calculator  and when I didn't believe her she let me challenge her. Spoiler alert, I lost. She used to tell us how she was the only child in her family to get a proper education and her pride in this point always made me want to do well at school.

It occurred to me many years later that she wasn't just proud of being smart, but that she had been able to prove herself worthy in a time where women didn't get many opportunities.

She loved sport and played much of it in her heyday, including having a broken jaw one time form a a hockey ball to the face.

She lived through World Ward II and worked in the Navy. She outlived two husbands, two children and fought til the very end until we were forced to say goodbye seventeen years ago.

She was a survivor.

I wouldn't be who I am today without my Nan. At times she drove me crazy because she always stuck up for my sister when we argued, and she was bossy as all hell. But she taught me many lessons which make up who I am today:

• If you want something you have to work hard, don't expect anyone to just hand it over to you
• Don't abuse any positions of power that you may have
• Being a women does not mean you can't be smart and go after what you want, even if people say you can't do it

She also gave me endless reams of paper, full reign of her typewriter and never said no to a visit to the local library. 

I wouldn't be writing without her. 

Who are the great women who've influenced you? Shout out to your inspirations in the comments below.