I recently read an autobiography called "A Stolen Life", written by a courageous woman named Jaycee Lee Dugard. Jaycee Lee is now 31 years old, has two daughters whom she loves dearly, and is surrounded by friends and family - but her life was not always as charmed as it may seem.

When Jaycee Lee was 11 years old, she was tazered from a vehicle on the way to her bus stop, and then abducted by a man and his wife. For several years, Jaycee Lee was forced to live in a tent (and later a shed of sorts) in the man's backyard, while he repeatedly molested, abused, and raped her. While in captivity, Jaycee Lee was impregnated twice by her kidnapper (the first time at the age of 13!), and delivered her children in the backyard, without painkillers or any assistance, other than from the kidnapper himself. 

It was 18 years after her kidnapping before Jaycee Lee was discovered, and freed to go home to her family, along with her two daughters. Her kidnapper and his wife are now in prison, serving life sentences. Jaycee Lee wrote a book about her experience to show the world just how gruesome her time in captivity really was. However, Jaycee Lee makes it very clear that she is not a victim of her situation, but a survivor. She is currently back at school and working towards a career to support her and her daughters, and hopes to even find love someday. She has taken her terrible circumstances and turned her life around for the better. She is a symbol of hope, and in my opinion, an incredibly strong, brave woman who well deserves the title of a role model.

Laura Nicholson- Role Model Of the Month

  I came across Laura's story by chance in The Globe and Mail. Her mother was shot
dead by her father before he killed himself. She was only 12. Young Laura was
on the computer when her father came down the stairs.  In the article, she said he looked glazed and
out of it. She didn't know then that it would be the last time she saw him
alive. Soon there was a loud bang and she just thought something fell, but
there was another bang and then repeated bangs. She went upstairs and saw her
father with a gaping hole in his chest and her mother on the bed where she'd
been asleep. Slowly she got the phone and called 911. I can't even imagine what
she must have felt.

 There are, unfortunately,
a lot of murder-suicide stories in the world, so why did this one seem
different? It was different because Laura didn't seem to be vengeful or angry.
The media portrayed her father as a killer, abuser and control freak. That was
never, and never will be, the way Laura sees her father. She compares herself
to her father. She says that she inherited he long legs and his wonderful sense
of direction. Instead of hating him, she loves him even for what he'd done.

 Anyone who can go through
that and still be happy is a great role model in my mind!

There are many world issues today, and one that is at the forefront of many conversations is the environment. Often, it seems pretty boring to learn about how we can help the planet – turn off your lights, don’t leave the tap running while you brush your teeth, recycle plastic bottles, on and on the list goes. However, it’s important to find dynamic ways to help the planet because those are the things that people will want to do. Who wants to sit through another lecture about “you should walk instead of taking the car”? Usually, the way people learn about the environment is boring, however one woman decided to live in the environment in order to help it.

Jane Goodall is a woman who inspired many people to love the environment before it was a trend. Goodall is best known for her study of chimpanzees, and this she did remarkably. An avid environmentalist, she would immerse herself into the chimps’ environment and become one of their society.  After observing for weeks and weeks, and letting the chimps see her and get used to her, she would gradually move closer to the group that she was studying, and eventually they would accept her.

The way that she became one with these animals was amazing – they treated her as if she was a chimp, caring for her and interacting with her. Goodall opened our eyes to how similar we are to chimps and primates in general. She showed us that they care for each other just like we do.

In doing her work, Goodall inspired thousands of people to open their eyes to the animal kingdom, and, therefore, the environment. Her attachment to the chimps made people realize that we’re not so different, and that it’s our duty to care for animals just like we care for each other. In showing us that chimps are like us, we could relate to them, and people could be more sensitive to the needs of the natural environment.

Jane Goodall is a remarkable woman because of her exceptional work in nature. She did many great things, and she made everyone realize what a beautiful earth this is, and that we should take care of it. For her, environmental activism was more than giving speeches at elementary schools – it was about living your beliefs and being proactive, which are things from which every single one of us can take something. 

Lisa Simpson is a clever, intelligent,passionate and independent young girl, who somehow managed to rise above her dysfunctional family environment to do great things. At the tender age of 8 she is already a member of MENSA with an IQ of 159. She plays the saxophone, reads college level material, and always stays true to her beliefs.
She also speaks Italian, and Swedish. Pretty sweet, right?

Now you may be wondering why a fictional character should be role model of the month. Lisa Simpson may be exceptional, but she is still fictional. She’s a figment of Matt Groening’s imagination.  It is easy for her to overcome her obstacles. This is true.

However, Lisa Simpson is still a classic example of “girl power.” She teaches young women to be true to their beliefs by her dedicated environmentalism. She demonstrates that it’s okay for girls to be smart. By overcoming the obstacles of belonging to the Simpson family, she shows that it’s possible to overcome adversity.

Lisa is not confined by the show The Simpsons. If I remember correctly, I once read a book that mentioned how Lisa has had a real world impact. Her passion for music on the screen has translated into a greater passion for music among young people. The number of female saxophone players has increased, and many of these girls credit their interest in music to Lisa She is often featured within the show jamming with famous musicians.

Of course none of us can be expected to play with top jazz musicians before we turn 10 or join Mensa before we graduate elementary school. In many respects Lisa Simpson is an exaggeration. A character. But she is an inspiring one who provides someone to whom young girls can look up. In our current culture that focuses on women’s appearance, a smart and sassy young girl is a welcome alternative to the usual TV line up. What do you think?

- Helen

For
December’s Woman of the Month, I’d like to acknowledge our lovely blogging
mentor, Heather! Heather has been working behind the scenes on this blog for
the entire year with the six of us, reading and editing our posts, giving ideas
and suggestions, and organizing collaboration sessions. Fresh out of university
with a new job and a Pathfinder unit, this busy gal gave up even more of her
time to help make this blog awesome. She has been an invaluable resource, from
helping with brainstorming to reminding us that our turn to post was coming up.
I’ve had a lot of fun this year getting to work with Heather, teleconferencing,
and sharing my writing with her! She is an excellent example of all the
fantastic young women that bring fresh ideas and insight to Guiding, and we are
lucky to have her!