Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Look at Women’s History Month

For Women’s History Month, our team is pausing to reflect on the women who have inspired us and the hopes we carry for the next generation of women stepping into the future. As we honor the women who have paved the way, we find strength not just in the famous names etched in history books, but also in the quiet heroes — mothers, grandmothers, mentors, sisters, and friends — who have influenced our lives in profound ways. Their wisdom, kindness, and determination shape the way we navigate the world and the lessons we hope to pass on to those following in our footsteps.

Shannon

Last year, I wrote a blog post calling out some of my all-time favorite mentors: Lauren, Ashley, Samantha, Valerie, Amy, and Mary. They’re all still super important to me, along with many other strong female business leaders here in our city.

These women are doing the work with hustle, grit, grace, and fun, and when I grow up, I want to be just like them. Not just to better myself and Campfire Collective, but also to pass down examples of leadership to my daughter. I want Lucy to know that she can be anything she wants to be if she works smart, finds her passion, and leads with empathy and understanding. 

Gaye

As the oldie of this group, I grew up in a time when glass ceilings were breaking all around me. When I was born, many women still needed to have a husband or father give them permission to open a bank account. I’m grateful for the women who have gone before me, who did not stand for being treated as second class citizens, who demanded their place in the world. I’m grateful for my mom, who is greatly loved in my hometown for her work as a teacher – and who has her own bank account to this day. 

Now that I’m a mother, I keep a special photo of my daughter on my desk: she is a little over a year old and absolutely beaming as she looks at me. Her little face is filled with joy and anticipation. She has the world ahead of her. As she’s grown, I’ve wanted her to keep that joy, that anticipation, and the knowledge that the world is within her grasp. Now as an adult, she’s fulfilled every drop of her potential – and keeps going. Thanks to the women who have gone before her, she leaps into the future, unafraid. Today I am the one who beams as I watch her soar!

Kate

One of the most powerful things my mom ever said to me was “you don’t have to do things the same way everyone else does.” She taught me to take charge, and go above and beyond when I want something. Details matter! Inherently, she imparted the idea that I can do anything if I go out, do my best, and make it my own. She also taught me to pick myself up and move on when things don’t work out. And to come home if I ever need to. 

I hope I pass all of those things onto my stepdaughter and to the women I lead at work everyday. I hope my example shows that caring about your work is a good thing! But I also hope they know that work isn’t the only thing. Mental health is important. Rest is fuel and necessary. How you treat others matters, and kindness is free. I think the shoulders we stand on are exhausted, and maybe it’s because they didn’t get the privilege of work-life balance. My hope for the next generation isn’t success; it’s joy.

Gwen

I feel extremely fortunate to have grown up with brilliant and powerful female role models like my mother, aunts, grandmother, and sister, who have always been bold and audacious in all their endeavors. They are my daily inspiration for balance, success, and authentic living. My maternal grandmother was an Atlanta socialite and community pillar. She was acknowledged in President Barack Obama’s 2008 acceptance speech for her tenacity and belief in our rights and powers to vote, even at 105 years old. Before her brush with celebrity she supported my grandfather and his dentistry practice, raised four children, hosted Atlanta’s Black Elite, and helped in the quest for Civil Rights with Dr. King.

My mother and her sisters, Gwen and Joyce (my namesakes), all went on to achieve high-level degrees. My Aunt Gwen graduated from Meharry and was the first black female doctor at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. My mother (Ph. D. - Languages and Literature at FAMU and FSU) and her sister Joyce (Masters in Zoology - University of Wisconsin) were committed educators and poured into their students, institutions, and communities for more than 35 years. In retirement, my mother opened and ran her own copy shop for 15 years until she died. My sister has lived and worked as an attorney in Memphis for 30+ years and is the reason I moved to the city. She is an excellent mediator, a force, and a foundation that keeps me grounded and pushes me to keep going. 

All of the women in my family achieved great things, but are truly inspirational in the ways that they have loved and contributed to our family and communities as a whole. Through trials and tribulations, they always centered on giving more than you take, faith, and family. Whenever I am facing challenges or obstacles in life that feel impossible to overcome, I remember I was born of strength, intellect, and on the shoulders of true giants.

Alexas

My middle name is Faye. It’s such a special part of my identity because it’s my mother and my grandmother’s middle names too. They are my absolute heroes. To know my G’ma was to love her. She made everyone in her life feel like her favorite. She welcomed my wife into our family without a single hesitation, and opened her arms to all of the children I have fostered. My mother has done the exact same thing. She bends over backwards to make sure her kids are taken care of, even though we are adults now. My kids know that she is there for them always, no matter what. Seeing her become a grandma herself has been extremely rewarding. She is the first person I call when I need to talk.

Faye is also the name I gave to my daughter. I hope I can live up to the name by instilling the values and offering the love and acceptance that my G’ma and my mom gave to me. I want her and her siblings to feel as blessed, loved, and safe as I felt as a child.

Allison

I’m incredibly thankful to have two older sisters that have guided me through life. From teenage angst to professional advice, Elizabeth and Reagan have been my mentors and support system. Their perseverance honestly astounds me. And through it all, their hearts stay full of empathy, compassion, and love. I don’t know who I would be without them!

I can only hope that some day, as I continue to grow and find my way in the world, that I can inspire my sisters in return.

Olivia

I truly don’t deserve my mom, Lisa. As I grow older and experience more of life, it becomes increasingly clear that she is one of the rare and extraordinary ones. Not everyone is fortunate enough to share a strong, healthy bond with their mother, which makes me even more grateful for ours.

Despite her own challenges, she has shown me the power of resilience, teaching me to lead with love and laughter. She has also been my guiding light in navigating anxiety disorder, not only helping me manage my own struggles but also teaching me how to support others facing the same battle.

Her unwavering faith, even in the toughest moments, is a constant source of inspiration. Simply put, she makes me want to be a better person — because of who she is and the love she so effortlessly gives.

Women’s History Month is a celebration of resilience, courage, and tenacity. It is also a reminder that progress is a collective effort, passed like a torch illuminating the path forward. Who are the women who have made a difference in your life — and how can we work together to contribute to a world where the next generation of women can stand even taller? Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to start the conversation.