In previous issues of cube, we’ve had inspiring articles on the courageous ‘Unknown Rebel’, the determined ‘Muhammed Ali’ and the motivational ‘Tupac’. Where, I asked myself, are the many inspirational female characters that similarly deserve respect?

'The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favoured few to ride them.'

Cameron Diaz (1972)
Cameron Diaz? Inspiring? You maybe wondering…yet this woman proved to me that if you’ve got the ruthless combination of talent, ambition and determination nobody can stop you! This beautiful actress (who did have a successful modelling career), NEVER had a single acting class before her first audition for the major role of ‘Tina’ in ‘The Mask’. This became her debut and not only launched….but blew Cameron Diaz’s career to places one normally only dreams about! What was even more shocking was how impressive her performances were in the majority of her films. She was a ‘freak of cinematic nature’. A couple of years later and …well… you can see for yourself…watching any of the latest blockbusters will confirm her happy ending!

“Your regrets aren’t what you did, but what you didn’t do, so take every opportunity”
Cameron Diaz

Mary Seacole (1805)
This Jamaican woman devoted her life to a single purpose: attending wounded soldiers in the Crimean War. With the healing skills her mother had taught her, she travelled alone to Crimea where she opened a ‘hotel’ for the sick and injured…paying for all medical equipment and food supplies with her own reserve of money (and I thought I was generous)! Despite her best efforts - which saved countless lives - she didn’t have enough money to continue and returned a true, purely selfless heroine, who – may I add - should NEVER have been forgotten.

'You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.'
Beverly Sills


Halle Berry
Halle Berry (1968)
Halle Berry, star of ‘Monsters Ball’, ‘Die Another Day’ and ‘X-men’ really shows what one individual can achieve! Overcoming the obstacles of domestic violence and racism during her childhood, she captured Hollywood with her exceptional acting skills that –rightly so- won Halle an Oscar…and if that in itself wasn’t enough of an ego booster, she was the first black woman to obtain this prestigious award in 2002. I admire this woman for the positive attitude she’s managed to retain over the years and her determination!!

Mae.C.Jemison (1956)
A chemist, an astronaut, graduate from medical school, professor of environmental studies, linguist (fluent in Russian, Japanese, Swahili and English)…is there anything this woman wasn’t! Gaining a B.S in chemical engineering and gaining a doctorate from Cornell Medical College still didn’t satisfy this inspiring woman’s lust for knowledge – talk about impressive. Mae is most commonly recognised as the first ever black female astronaut, hired by NASA for her extensive experience in …well…everything! This led to her trip into space during August 1992 aboard the ‘Shuttle Endeavour’! To me, she proved that anything and everything is possible.

“The thing I have done throughout my life is to do the best job that I can and to be me”
Mae.C.Jemison


Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe (1926)
This sex idol took the world by storm! She intelligently played the media drenched image as the ‘tragic dumb blonde’ to earn millions as the most popular pin up girl…EVER! A glance at the merchandise that sold as a result of her image pretty much sums up the obsession that she caused! She was the female equivalent of Elvis…and we all know his reputation. Many teenage girls strive for the ideal image and body figure; to me Marilyn Monroe represents feminine perfection. With her perfect size 14, she truly is a goddess!


“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you $50,000 for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul”
Marilyn Monroe


Rosa Parks (1913)
This woman had no idea that her courage and strong moral beliefs would later influence an entire continent and affect the entire world! Her small act of defiance in 1955, as she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, led to her imprisonment…and the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott (which lasted 1 year!)….and Martin Luther King taking the forefront of the civil rights movement…and caused South America to change its laws to condemn segregation in society!!! Could this woman be any MORE influential?! Rosa Parks conveyed to the entire world that if you stand up for what you believe in, no matter how insignificant you regard your input, you can achieve ANYTHING!

‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent’ Eleanor Roosevelt

Designed and written by Shaska Khosa

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