RateItAll: The Opinion Network

For me everytime its going to be Oprah Winfrey. I know a few reviewers out there who can't stand this woman, but shes bought to light many issues concerning the US and even the world - poverty, terrorists around the globe as some Americans had never even heard of the IRA, education, health, drug and alcohol abuse, you name it shes talked about it - and has done this by utilising her success as a talk show host. She truly is a window for America and reminds them and even their media that their not the only people exisiting on this planet.

Souljunkie - do you have similar admiration for men who put their wives and kids first? The question seems to be asking for a public figure. Right now, I'd lean towards Michelle Bachelet who may be elected prime minister of Chile in a couple of weeks and could become the first female elected leader of a Latin American nation. She was tortured under the Pinochet regime for her prior political commitments, but has the courage to remain committed to public service although the risk of a repeat performance by right wing nutcases in the military remains a distinct possibility. Win or lose, she's making history.

Aside from my wife who at 23 years old took on me (I was 39 at the time) and two very young children (5 & 7 at the time)when she could have lived her life like most other young women having fun and dating and trying to 'find themselves', I would say any woman who in this day and age puts her husband and family first.

I would have to say my wife. She has given me two great children, stuck with me trough some very difficult times and loved me when I was not very lovable. She is the very best and I can only say she deserves the very best which I have not been. I thank God that I was so blessed to find such a lovely woman both inside and out as my wife.

I have a romantic fascination with Queen Elizabeth. She was the boss when the brits smoked the spanish armada, she was a fan of art and theatre (Shakespeare included), modified the church in England, and helped turn England from a backwards island into a major player in Europe. Not bad for a lifetime's work. . .and she did it in a man's world. A rare combination of guts, luck, brains, and talent.

Rosa Parks. In those tumultuous times, she stubbornly refused to give up her seat to a white and refused to sit in the back of the bus. What she did was courageous.

My Great-Grandmother. Reason: Shortly after she got married, her husband went to America (she lived in China) for some reason, perhaps to find a better life for them, and he never came home. She never heard from him again. She had a daughter, my grandmother, and had to raise her on her own. Imagine, being a single mother so long ago, and in China no less. With my sister having a baby soon, she'll hopefully live to see her family grow to yet another generation, making her a great-great grandmother. UPDATE: My great-grandmother passed away last week, thankfully without any pain in her sleep. I've learned a little more about her life: my great-grandfather didn't just leave to America, he worked on a merchant ship (going to America) and didn't make it home, for reasons unknown. Not only did she raise her only child on her own, but she worked to help pay the tuition for my mother and her brother and sisters, as well as worked to get the money for all of them to move to America to give them and future generations a better life. I owe a lot to her, and I wish I could have let her know how much I appreciated her. UPDATE: I just found out that a family friend, Miss Lillian Lee Kim, had passed away Sept. 16, the day before my birthday. She was a community leader here in Baltimore, and a wonderful lady. She was an author, newspaper correspondent, co-owner of a laundry and a City Hall secretary during the administrations of Mayors Theodore R. McKeldin, Thomas J. D'Allesadro III and William Donald Shafer, according to the Baltimore Sun. She taught English to Chinese immigrants, and helped immigrants attain citizenship. I remember every Chinese New Year when I was a little girl, she would organize a show with my family at a nearby community center. This little lady, not much taller than myself, was so active and helped so many people. I'm glad she was around to see me get married. She will be greatly missed by many in the Chinese community in Baltimore.

Margaret Thatcher and Nancy Reagan.

Jane Goodall.

There are several: Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Joni Eareckson Tada, Terry Meuwsen, Ann Jillian, Terry Rakolta, Melody Green, Sue Bird......if I have to just pick one, I'll take my wife.

My mother. While I'm sure that most of you are not interested in reading her life story, I am going to post it anyway for posterity. She was born in 1954 and was adopted at birth. She had a normal childhood until 1966, when both of her parents died. She was shuffled through homes until finally landing at a Catholic school, where she remained until she was 18. She got married shortly thereafter to an abusive husband with whom she had one son, my brother, Michael, in 1975. Tragedy struck when her husband died in 1980 in a motorcycle crash. Not only did it tremendously affect my mother, who clung to her husband's bloody clothes for days, but it had an even greater impact on my brother, who never knew his father and grew up without anything resembling a father figure. My mother has never remarried, and has been involved in several romances, including a relationship that lasted 11 years with my father, who was an abusive alcoholic. Another failed relationship followed that one, and only recently has she found happiness with a man whom she loves and who loves her. Marriage is a true possibility here. My mother has come a long way since she was orphaned by the tragic death of her parents. Owning her own tractor-trailor truck and being away from home most of the time, she still has managed to keep things together here at home and raise two kids. She has come from minimum wage jobs to a comfortable middle class status. She is a woman who has known adversity, and has overcome it so many times. She is one who I don't know what I would do without, and at least for now, is the most important woman in my life. She has her flaws, but she is perfect in my eyes. She has not been the perfect mother, but like all parents, she admits to her mistakes. Perfect mother? No. However, she has taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, long after she is gone. She's a good mother and friend.

Not an individual but.. women who live in places where they are not afforded all the rights of males. Women who have to work and raise children and maintain households yet are prevented from expressing themselves or reaching their true potential.

My mother without a doubt. She is so much stronger than she thinks she is.

If Anyone,It Would Be My Friend Jessica.Shes Smart,Funny,AUCTUALLY HAS A BOYFRIEND(I Want A girlfriend....JESSICA!!!!),She There When You need Her(MOST Of the Time),And Is Very Relibal.Though Shes To Nice(In My Oppion)To Say No To Some(Most)People.

Probably Melanie Cox. She was here over the summer and she really hlped me and my friends get closer to God a lot. She is very inspiring, and she made us feel a new passion for following God and thats all I want to do now. She has been an awesome influence on me and I miss her alot and I love her. L8er dayz

I admire my Mom, my Grandma, all my aunts, and every other woman who is strong, intelligent, and just out right good people. :) As for a woman I have read about or heard about I would have to say I admire Madonna the most out of the celebs and leaders. A very strong, intelligent woman who is also very business savvy and doesn't play games...love her !

RebelYell1861's mom.

Margaret Thatcher

Frida Kahlo. An artist who depicted her own reality, pain, and horrors and made it all beautiful.