I thought about the type of women I admire and came to this surprising realisation

March 8, 2026 — 4:00am

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In the lead up to International Women’s Day, I began thinking about inspirational women – a tougher exercise than I imagined. I admire many women – some who are in my life, some whom I will never meet – but I’ve realised something uncomfortable: most women I admire don’t actually inspire me to change.

In my youth, I used to idolise very famous girls, like the female members of the Young Talent Time team, Australia’s youth variety show. I thought about Vanessa, Katie and Danielle as I was doing my maths homework. I wanted to know them. I wanted to be them!

But did they inspire me to do anything? Sadly not. I couldn’t sing or dance, so there was no way for me to follow in their (impressively co-ordinated) footsteps. My admiration for them felt distant and reverential.

In more recent years, I have admired women who are more talented than me in my chosen field. Sure, I can write, but I have friends who have written novels and memoirs that have moved me to tears, friends whose work in the media or arts leaves my mouth hanging open. And, just like my childhood idols, their talent doesn’t move me to be a better writer. I envy it, I wish I had it, but if it........

© Brisbane Times