Category: Inspiring

Heroes – Elizabeth Blackwell and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Today’s Heroes post is by Cathy Brown. In her own words Cathy is a potterer & tinkerer. Weaver, potential ukulele player, cook and comic book geek. She’s clearly a great writer too, I hope you agree. Take it away Cathy:

Elizabeth Blackwell and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.

These two women, born in 1821 and 1836 respectively, were instrumental in both the emancipation of women, and the admitting of women to the medical profession. Both British born, they are the first and second women to be entered onto the UK Medical Register, the first to join the BMA in the case of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and the first to graduate as an MD in America in the case of Elizabeth Blackwell. Between them they opened schools of medicine, worked with Florence Nightingale, trained future generations of doctors and tirelessly supported women’s rights all their lives.

They both felt a moral imperative, not only to fulfil their own ambitions and desires (both, I might add, were working mothers in an age where that term was probably considered heretical), but to give back to society, to improve and help society as a whole to develop. Elizabeth Blackwell went as far as to say “If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodelled” and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became England’s first female mayor in 1908. Neither lived to see full voting rights for women in the UK or the US.

The strength of mind, of character, they must have had in order to defy convention over most of their lives continues to amaze and inspire. These are Elizabeth Garrett Anderson’s words on work:
“When I felt rather overcome with [my father’s] opposition, I said as firmly as I could, that I must have this or something else, that I could not live without some real work.”

I have no real concept or understanding of living in a society where I could not be independent, use my brain, own my own property or live my life in whatever way I chose.

When I am facing something new, uncertain, untried and I can feel fear of the unknown kicking in – there are some words from Elizabeth Blackwell that I bring to mind, to remind me that I’m starting from so much further ahead than she was. I can vote without question, I can study and be recognised in any subject, any profession that I choose, my battles are different and yet I can be inspired by her courage and her delight still.

“It is not easy to be a pioneer – but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world.”

Powerful stuff eh! Thanks Cathy, and if you’re reading this and you would like to share your Heroes with us, please get in touch.

 

 

Heroes – Mrs Van Gogh

van gogh headstone

Our Heroes guest series continues today with a powerful tale from Katie, aka HRHopeful. I’ve been to the building from whence this tale emerged and it is well worth a visit. Not before reading this though, take it away Katie…

On seeing Doug’s invitation to write about a hero I jumped in. There are tons of people I admire and look up to; but when I really started to think about it I realised…none of them are actually heroes to me. They are people that have done remarkable things with their lives but not necessarily heroic.

I didn’t want to let him down so I took a moment to reflect on what would be considered an heroic act, and I was drawn to an experience I had not very long ago in Amsterdam……in an art gallery!

My husband had suggested that we visit the Van Gogh museum, now I wasn’t thrilled by the prospect. In truth I’m not a fan of art galleries; it’s something about the enforced silence, and the shuffling around like herds of cattle desperately seeking a connection or emotive reaction to a canvas. I prefer photography, I like what I’m looking at to be real, truthful – that’s where I find my emotional connection. But, I love my husband and therefore conceded.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the experience. The gallery was split into ‘life’ sections so you learnt all about the different periods of Van Gogh’s life. The time when all he drew were peasants, trying to capture their souls on canvas, his move to Paris and his friendship with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, his unfortunate deterioration in health and his move to Saint-Remy to seek medical attention. The paintings were (mostly) beautiful, but it was the story that captured me.

All throughout there was a common thread about Vincent’s relationship with his brother Theo. They were obviously very close and throughout their lives wrote endless letters to each other. It was extremely touching, and reminded me of my own sibling relationship.

The last section dealt with Van Gogh’s death at age 37, after seeing some of his last paintings I turned a corner in the gallery and was confronted with a mammoth canvas showing the above photo.

Theo Van Gogh died six months after his brother and was originally buried elsewhere. His wife Johanna Bonger had his body exhumed and moved to be with his brother.

Johanna is my hero, because in that moment in an overcrowded (but oddly silent) art gallery I had an emotional connection. Her actions were purely out of love and understanding. She put her own needs aside in order to ‘do the right thing’. She then tirelessly worked to ensure that Vincent was recognised for the amazing artist he was.

In work we can so often be told to think about ‘the bigger picture’, ensure we ‘think strategically’ but sometimes it’s just about doing the right thing; putting our own agendas to one side for a moment.

So perhaps one day a stranger will read your story and have an emotional connection with your actions…that’s what makes a hero.

Heroes – Debbie Chrissie and Annie

Here’s the latest in our Heroes series of blog posts. Today’s guest author is Ailsa Suttie, and she’s kept her thoughts short and sweet. I appreciate the simplicity of this post and the lovely personal nature of the whole series. If you fancy taking part, get in touch and tell us about your hero, it’s as simple as that. Take it away Ailsa:

Debbie, for beauty, for talent, for giving me a direction when I didn’t know I needed one. For giving me the confidence to unleash my vocal chords on the frightened citizens of Glasgow.

Chrissie, for inspiring me, for being part of my art school portfolio, and for opening my teenage eyes to the fact that it’s ok to go up front and stand out.

Annie, for daring, for challenging, for breaking ground and for continuing to do so today.