It begins before birth. Women have a long-term impact on the lives of all of our children. Since March is Women's History Month, I will focus on the roles in which women impact children.
       

The first and most enduring role is that of the mother, whose impact is critical from birth into adulthood. They love unconditionally, and most children believe their mothers are very special people. I am one of those. My mother was "a saint with a sense of humor," who encouraged me in every way. For example, she bought all my first-grade school pictures and kept them throughout her life. I was appalled by that picture-taken after running and playing kickball for 30 minutes during recess. My hair was discombobulated with sweat; I had a torn pocket on my plaid shirt and a missing front tooth. My mother thought it was precious and showed it to everyone. To me, that represented a mother's unconditional love.  

As a child, I spent several weeks each summer with my Grandma Elva on a Mathews County farm. She was one of the kindest and most resilient people I have ever known. Her husband died of pneumonia during the Depression, leaving her to raise two young sons. She had an eighth-grade education but was a voracious reader. She never learned to drive, walked all over the community, and talked to me constantly as we'd head to the country store with its glass case filled with penny candy. Then we'd head to Miss Lillian's house, where the local women gathered to sew beautiful quilts and gossip. This city girl loved every minute with my grandmother.

My Aunt "Tutter" was a role model for me and my cousins. She and my mother had grown up on a Pittsylvania County tobacco farm. The first of seven children to graduate from college, Tutter chose to stay on the farm and teach in the local high school for 48 years. She was an excellent artist, in the footsteps of Grandma Moses. Many family members have her works in their homes. It was a treat when she would take me into the parlor-a special room off limits to children without an adult-to read and talk. Tutter truly focused on me as we talked and encouraged excellence in everything I attempted.

Many teachers impacted my life. My eighth-grade English teacher, Miss Graves, required us to memorize and recite hundreds of lines of poetry, which helped us overcome stage fright and love poetry for life. Miss Lowance, my senior English teacher in Richmond, was very strict, requiring weekly written essays, but every student left her class ready to enter college. Coaches like Miss Aron in my junior high challenged me to go the extra mile In field hockey, basketball, softball, and tennis.

So many women made me feel loved and seen during my childhood and youth. Who are the women who impacted your life? Why not make a list of them and share it with those around you?