Mums all across the UK have just been celebrated for all their hard work and generosity as part of Mothering Sunday, and now people across the world are gearing up to celebrate inspirational women throughout the ages as part of International Women's Day. The global day of action has been observed since the early 1900s and celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women throughout the ages.
This International Women's Day, we take a look at four remarkable Christian women from various fields, of various time periods, and their words of wisdom.
Rosa Parks - Civil Rights Activist
Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 sparked the famous Montgomery bus boycott and helped her become one of the most-renowned figures of the American Civil Rights Movement. In 1999, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honour the United States Congress can bestow on a civilian. Her strength and courage in standing up for what was right is still a source of inspiration today.
"I remember finding such comfort and peace while reading the Bible...Its teaching became a way of life and helped me in dealing with my day-to-day problems."
Bethany Hamilton - Surfer
Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark while surfing in 2003, aged just 13 years old. As a result of the attack she lost her left arm but she hasn't let the accident hold her back. Now a 26-year-old wife and mum of one, Hamilton says the attack made her even more determined.
"When people ask me what my faith in God means to me, I usually answer in just one word: 'Everything!' This was true before the shark attack as well as after."
JK Rowling - Author
She's best known for writing the incredibly popular Harry Potter series which have sold over 400 million copies worldwide and captured the imaginations of millions of children and adults around the world. Before her extremely successful career as a novelist took off, Rowling was a single mother and 'as poor as it's possible to be in this country'. In addition to giving to various causes, she's also founded a charity that works to end the institutionalisation of children.
"Those who choose not to empathise enable real monsters. For without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves, we collude with it, through our own apathy."
Leymah Gbowee - Liberian Peace Campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Leymah Gbowee led women from across Liberia's ethnic and religious divides as part of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace to campaign for an end to the country's 14-year civil war. In 2011, Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her part in leading the women's peace movement. She was the second African woman to win the prize.
"There is something in this world that every individual can do. God has created all of us with something unique to contribute."
