Unlike the “truly accomplished” women discussed by Jane and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice—of whom there were few—the women considered by our readers to be great are numerous. They are marked by noble character, bravery, selflessness, creativity, and much more.
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As a married woman in a new state, I discovered just how daunting it is to pull off the warmth of holiday magic and wonderment while the realities of life bluster at your door like the winter wind. Admiration for my mother blossomed as I considered that not only during baking homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas, but throughout our annual Spring Tea with the prettiest porcelain tea cups, into the fun with sparklers after her Independence Day pretzel Jello salad, building the tallest pile of crispy red leaves in October, to the belly-bursting feast on Thanksgiving, my mother tirelessly cultivated beauty, love, and joy within our home. For that, I will forever admire her.
HANNAH LEE
Fullerton, California
I was sixteen when I first heard Rev. Edith Wolfe preach. I was awestruck as she told us of her ministry: caring for orphans in India, training Sunday School teachers in Micronesia, taking schoolbooks to Africa. Her stories were inspiring and her enthusiasm contagious. Leaving church that Sunday, I told my mom, “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” After college, I was thrilled to get a job just a block from her office. I quickly introduced myself and started following her around, watching and learning. She was becoming my hero. She was energetic, generous beyond measure, and treated everyone like her best friend. A few years after her retirement, I applied for Rev. Wolfe’s former position running this remarkable mission organization. For the next fifteen years, I worked to continue her outstanding legacy of caring, compassion, inspiration, and generosity. That was a tall order indeed.
CAROLYN WINSTON
Honolulu, Hawaii
A young woman I know and admire possesses both common sense and a great many skills, some of which are unique in our modern times. I was first impressed by her ability to plan trips and manage money carefully. Fearlessly, she traveled the world to far-flung places and then returned to work hard, at one point having three jobs. Finding her calling in life to be an artist, she apprenticed during the day while working night jobs. Her passion pointed her forward with focus when others suggested alternate paths. She knew what she wanted to do. A kind and loving spirit drew people to her, and she maintained a group of close friends with whom she skateboarded, traveled, and went on adventures such as hikes in the countryside or weekends abroad. Work-away trips added to her roster of achievements. Taking her mother on a dream trip to Bali showed her incredible generosity. I am proud to say this incredible woman is my daughter, Lindsay. Our next adventure: a road and hiking trip in Scotland this June.
MARGARET IRVING
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
My mother’s sister was very special to me. In my mind, I gather memories of her like delicate seashells that wash in on a tide of nostalgia. Aunt Mary was an artist in every sense of the word. She drew, painted, and prepared beautiful pieces in calligraphy. But words were her true medium, and she wrote articles and short stories throughout her life. She left a memorable impression on everyone who knew her and taught me to find the beauty in everyday objects and the world around me.
Aunt Mary’s most precious legacy to me is that she recognized my love for words early. She would study my childish notions—drawn on a dry erase memo board that hung on her refrigerator—as if they were from a volume of Shakespeare. When I felt satisfied with each masterpiece, I would reveal the memo board to her, using my best announcer’s voice and quite a bit of showmanship. Always an appreciative audience, she would respond with applause and cheers. She kept every note, poem, or drawing until I returned for the next visit. No matter how many weeks or months had passed, my message remained perfectly preserved. Not even one time was it erased, covered over with reminders or appointments, or replaced with a to-do list. Our tradition continued for many years, and this precious ritual showed me that my words—and I—were important.
DEANA JOHNSON
Laurinburg, North Carolina
