Creative Venture #31

"There is no such thing as accident, it is fate misnamed."

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Things wot I have learned - advice to my 18 year old self.

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So whilst I'm still a pretty long way off being able to consider myself wise, I am a fair bit better than I was a couple of years ago. Or so I like to think. Here is a selection of things I think my 18 year old self really needed to learn.

1 - Kindness is one of the most important things. You must try to be kinder yourself, and recognise that kindness is a deeply sexy quality for people to have.

2 - It really doesn't matter that much. Everything passes, everything fades - don't stress about it.

3 - Your friends will be there for you when it matters. Do the same for them.

4 - Taking care of yourself, physically and mentally is not selfish, it is sensible and necessary.

5 - Make more bad fashion choices. You can get away with it for the next four years - enjoy them.

6 - Your family are really, really important. Trust them more.

7 - There is good to be found in absolutely everybody. Do your best to bring it out in them.

8 - Hard work really does pay off.

9 - Grace matters. Try to have grace in everything you do.

10 - Everything really will be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it just hasn't ended yet.

I have so many more too - some a lot more specific and personal! Is there anything you'd want your past self to know?

An Open Letter to My Body

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To my Body, and those others who may find the following relevant,-

First of all, I would like to say that I'm sorry I havn't looked after you better. I'm sorry I forgot to take my vitamins, and I'm sorry for all the crap I ate, and Liver - I'm especially sorry for what I've put you through. I'm sorry for the walls I jumped off and sprained you, and the ill fitting shoes I wore, I'm sorry for the time I gave myself piercings. Actually, I'm not that sorry about that, we looked cool that year.

But seriously - you're doing a great job. I want to thank you for all the things you've taught me and all the things you let me experience. Thankyou for hugging and for stretching and for fucking. Thankyou for dancing - you remember that? You remember how close we were then? You knew what I wanted you to do before I even did, you were strong and beautiful and I really trusted you. I'm sorry I let that slide. It wasn't your fault that Knees gave way, I over worked you, and I'm sorry. I'm trying not to be angry with you any more. I'm still kindof scared about it, but I'm going to try and build that relationship with you again. I'm scared incase I can't do it anymore, and I'm scared incase it's not the same, but I am going to try.

I'm sorry for the times I said unkind things about you, for the time's I compared you to others. I'm equally sorry for the times I compared you favourably to others, because that breeds a competition that is, quite frankly stupid. I'm sorry for that wierd time when I really hated you - I hope you don't still hold it against me. I hope I didn't damage you too much. I actually really like a lot of you - Feet, you know how I feel about you. Is that wierd? I don't care if it is, I really like you Feet, you're strong and you bend wonderfully. I like Nose and Wrists too. Actually, all of you are pretty great.

Body, you are doing a really great job. I promise I will try to do better - I'll moisturise more, and I'll eat more fruit, and I'll not try tumbles that I know I wont be able to do! I promise I'll listen to you more, so if you're unhappy, just let me know. Anyway, yeh, thanks for holding it together. I really do appreciate everything you're doing, just so you know.

Yours faithfully,

Rio

Random Acts Of Kindness Day - 40 Ideas for your Karma

So according to Heart 106.2 fm (and I fail to see any more reliable source), tomorrow is Random Acts of Kindness Day. I love this idea, small  - or big - ways in which you can brighten someone elses day without them expecting it is such a lovely thing, I thought it might be nice to all jump on board. You know how I feel about bandwagons. Thus, I give you a little inspiration for creating a little nice feeling in the world.

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1 - Buy something from a vending machine. Leave it there.
2 - Give your friend that piece of your clothing they've always coveted. Or, you know, lend it for a month.
3 - Sign up to be an organ donor.
4 - Send thankyou cards to your parents, for being your parents.
5 - Do your housemate's ironing for them.
6 - Offer to walk the dog, before your dad does it.
7 - Write a note and stick it on the mirror of a public bathroom saying 'You are beautiful'.
8 - Buy your boss a coffee, even though they get paid more than you.
9 - Pick up litter you see in the street.
10 - Leave encouraging notes inside books in the library.

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11 - Actually buy a Big Issue for once!
12 - Let someone else have your parking space.
13 - Send a card to one of your old teachers, thanking them for what they did for you.
14 -Fold down the pages in a book of poetry that you think someone will like. Give it to them.
15 - Give up your seat on the bus, not just for an old person.
16 - Do everyone else's washing up.
17 - Let someone else have control of the remote, all night.
18 - Buy a treat for your pets.
19 - If you don't already, start recycling.
20 - Write a list of ten things you think are awesome about a friend and hide it under their pillow.

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21 - Call a random number (after setting your own number to private!) and loudly sing Bob Marley down the phone.
22 - Offer to mow an elderly neighbour's lawn.
23 - Say good morning to people you dont know - and smile.
24 - If you get good service, make a point of telling the person's manager.
25 - Give your partner a massage, don't get one back.
26 - Take an hour to do whatever frivolous, lazy or outrageous thing you want to do.
27 - Tell someone you think they're beautiful.
28 - Write to your favourite author (or their children) telling them how they've impacted your life.
29 - If you visit someone in hospital, spend a bit of time with someone else who doesn't have any visitors.
30 - Call an elderly relative.

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31 - If your the boss, let everyone leave half an hour early as a surprise.
32 - Get up early and make breakfast for your house.
33 - Give blood.
34 - Introduce two friends who you know would get on great but have never met each other.
35 - Leave home-made snacks on the desks of people at work.
36 - Tape a pound in a phone box with a note saying its for anyone who needs it.
37 - Leave flowers on a stranger's doorstep
38 - If someone tries to give you a flyer in the street, take it.
39 - Hug the next person you see.
40 - Always give way in traffic.

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Got any more ideas for how to spread a little love?

The Mother of All Pep Talks

In 2011, we took a long hard look in the proverbial mirror and we said "Hey self, you're actually pretty fucking great.". This, was Pep Talk Tuesday. And this my friends, at the dawn of this new epoch, is the mother of all Pep Talks. I suggest you write out something similar for yourself (or just print this one off), stick it somewhere you'll see it every day and remind yourself - I am going to get up, walk the walk and do it like a boss in 2012. Read it slowly. Let yourself believe it.

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You are strong.  You survived it all, and you will survive whats to come. It is ok to get upset and afraid. You can say whatever it is you're thinking. You are self assured and you are strong, and you don't need other people's approval, so just say it. You are so loved and supported. Please don't ever feel alone, because they are here for you! They will back you, and be painfully honest with you, and love you. When you have to take the leap, they'll be right there, jumping with you. You are a badass bitch. Or, you know, guy. And baby, you are free as a bird. You are free to be whoever you want, go wherever you want, say whatever you want, do whatever you want. There will be times when your head is screaming at you to get a grip, and your friends only look at you with a hesitant concern, but if you think you're right, then do it. Yeh, it might go wrong, but what's life without a little danger anyway? Get some frickin courage. Back yourself.  Maybe you made good decisions, maybe you didn't. Either way, its too late to change it now. And whilst you must never, ever give up, sometimes its ok to sit back and take a rest.  You do not take shit from anyone. Ever. The hard times are only proof of how strong, brave and resilient we are when we need to be.  Do it like a boss. You will be loved for your strengths and your weaknesses, for your triumphs and your mistakes. For your annoying habits and your adorable quirks. You will be loved for your body, and for your mind and for your soul. For your sense of humour, your beliefs, your talents. You will be loved for your bad moods, your dreams, your regrets. The world is a beautiful place. Taste the air, notice the clouds, see the secret smiles on the faces of people around you. Kiss your lover with no fear. The world is bloody beautiful, you just need to learn to see it again. Wipe the dirt away from your eyes and look at it fresh. It's alive, it's moving, it's real, it's ever changing, it's vivid - sometimes it's painful, but that can be beautiful too - it's all yours for the taking sugar. It is OK to take risks. Life is too short, and opportunities don't come along all that often. And it's OK to have faults.  You occupy a very particular and important place in the universe. You are not insignificant. Your existence is not meaningless, even if you can't see that right now. Breathe it in. Smell it. Live it. Love it.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you feel, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you ever imagined.

We are going to have such a great year, because we're going to make it a great year. Are you game?

Resolutions; Dance Better, Stay Glad, Look after feet.

40 things to do this winter

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It is now officially and completely winter. The air is biting and frigid, there's a hyperborean stillness to the night and everything outside your bed feels like Siberia. It's the season for cinnamon and poinsettas, for fairy lights and carols and mistletoe kisses. But despite all that cosy yummyness, often we find we get a bit glum in the winter months - its cold, we probably have exams coming up, we've gone home for Christmas and our family is driving us mad. So I came up with a few ideas for things to do this winter to make yourself smile, to create a little festive glow inside you, or maybe just be productive. Wonderful!

1 - Crack out the knitwear. Festive? Or just very bright and ugly? Either way, a big snuggly jumper is the way forward.

2 - Go iceskating, preferably outside. Double points if you take someone to hold your hand and buy you hot chocolate afterwards.

3 - Make your own wrapping paper, with a potato stamp and some brown parcel paper. Or paint your hand and hi five every gift you give.

4 - Have a winter romance, talk for too long, share too many secrets, kiss in the snow and hold hands on the bus.

5 - Do this quiz, then adopt an animal with the WWF.

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6 - Bake! Bake a ginger bread city, a mountain of mince pies or a rich and sticky yule log. Fill your house with the smell of it. Then give your baking to friends, strangers and the homeless.

7 - Hang out with some kids. No-one does Christmas like kids. Don't be scared to be a kid yourself.

8 - Make a date with your bed and a book. If you can do it with someone, there are few things more delicious and intimate than just lying in bed with someone, reading and being together.

9 - Go to a Carol Service, and sing like no-one's listening.

10 - Invest in a Onesie. It's time.

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11 - Moisturise. This isn't so much an idea as just great advice, no-one wants winter lizard skin.

12 - Make a fort!

13 - Buy fabulous underwear, stockings are compulsory. Turn up the heating, and wear only fabulous underwear.

14 - See the people you havn't seen in too long.

15 - Listen to music your grandparents liked when they were your age.

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16 - Perfect a crazily extravagant hot chocolate recipe. Squirty cream, flakes, chocolate chips, marshmallows, bits of leftover christmas pudding...

17 - Attempt to cook a full christmas dinner for your friends. Hint: Roast potatoes take freaking forever to cook!

18 - Sit in a coffee shop, pretend to read a book and people watch to your heart's content. Make up stories about the people you see.

19 - Make a collage of pictures from your summer.

20 - Watch festive films from your childhood - The Snowman, Home Alone, Father Christmas etc...

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21 - Volunteer. A soup kitchen, a charity shop, an animal sanctuary. There a lot of people and animals who could use some care at this time of year.

22 - Write a letter. A love letter, a thankyou letter, an apology letter, even if its to someone who lives near-by. Get a festive stamp.

23 - Have a board games night. Cranium and backgammon are my favourites.

24 - Go sledging. No sledge? A tray or bin lid will do. No hill? Grab some string, a friend and pull each other.

25 - Help an elderly neighbour by offering to clear their drive-way of snow. Serious karma points.

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26 - Learn the winter constellations. Wrap up at night, go outside and spot them.

27 - A stuck record, I know... but excercise. Its just good for you. Make it wintery if you like; indoor skiing?

28 - Find an animal, preferably furry. Pet it.

29 - Go away for the weekend. Edinburgh is great in the winter, so is Paris, so is York, so are the dales...

30  - Build a snow man. BUILD A SNOW LION. Have a snowball fight, get soaking wet, have a hot bath.

31 - Go the the ballet. For me, nothing beats The Nutcracker at this time of year.

32 - Go see a panto if that's more your thing.

33 - Read up on and learn some quotations from someone amazing. My favourites include Oscar Wilde, Salvador Dali, Lewis Carroll and Bob Dylan. Who are yours?

34 - Take the time to write. A story, a poem, a letter (wait, didn't we already do that one?), a blog. It is good for your mind and for your heart. Especially if you do it with pen and paper, and not on a computer.

35 - Take vitamins. Again, just standard, good advice.

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36 - Write a list of 10 great things that happened to you this year. Then write 10 great things you want to do in 2012.

37 - Learn to play a christmas song. Even if you don't already play an instrument, I defy anyone to not be able to learn Jingle Bells on the Recorder!

38 - Learn to knit, and do something worthwhile with the results!

39 - Actually write thankyou cards this year. I know you always mean to, now actually do it!

40 - Give someone a big fat cuddle. It doesn't matter who, never under estimate the power of physical contact!

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Any other ideas for great stuff to do?

Lest we forget.

Today is 11/11/11, and we are called to remember those who fell in war so that we could live in freedom. This is not supporting war, this supporting the people who accept that sometimes, it is a neccessary evil, and are prepared to sacrifice everything for the rest of us. A few years ago, I went to the Western Front, and I can honestly say I dont that I've ever been so moved. This is something I truly, passionately believe in. The scale and depth of the horror are ineffable, as least for me. So instead, I give you a selection of my favourite poetry from those who lived it, and some photographs. Please, take a minute just to be calm, and remember.

Unimaginable scale

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime...
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

                                       - Wilfred Owen

German graved, marker with iron crosses.

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts a peace, under an English heaven.

Rupert Brooke

Vimy Ridge, a memorial to the Canadian.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal,
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation,
And a glory that shines upon her tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known,
As the stars are known to the night.

As the stars will be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

- Laurence Binyon

Advanced Style: Age and Beauty

"I think its fun to dress up. Its an exercise in creativity, and it makes you feel better."

Photo Friday 11/3/3

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Performance Artist Tiara.

Interesting. Some of the things that annoy me most in other people are the things I dislike in my own character? Perhaps.

The Lock and Keys Project.

Remember a while ago I wrote about Love Locks? Well the lovely Denise from The Lock and Keys Project  in Massachussets stumbled across that, and asked me to get involved in her art project. Of course, I am never one to turn down an outdoors public art installation. The Lock and Keys Project is a collection of memories, wishes, regrets, secrets and loves, locked in a public place - sometimes, our deepest secrets are the ones all the world could see if only they looked. A snapshot of a moment, a thought, a grudge - it all goes.

I grabbed Jenna and Vicky, and we had a cute afternoon making our locks and writing the messages that go with them - each lock comes with a short descriptor or story.

All ready to start. Don't you just love my granny bedding? I was sent to uni with all the rejected linen from home. My towels are neon yellow.

I should warn you now that there is going to be a lot of cheese in this post. I did mine for my mum and dad, who have been absolutely amazing to me this year, they've gone so over and above the call of duty. They supported me when I dropped out of uni, dug me out of some serious holes, taught me some vital lessons, battled with me through a shitty illness, supported me going back to uni, and loved me unconditionally all along.

Vicky did hers for her sister Georgia (my sister's called Georgia too. Mental.), who had just left after visiting for the weekend. They're super close, everyone always thinks that they're twins, and I know how much she missed her when she's not here.

Jenna did hers for her boyfriend, they just went to Barcelona for a weekend. They are one of the funniest and nicest couples I know, and beyond adorable together. I don't even care how patronising that sounds!

Cute, no?

Rogue.

You may have noticed, we have a had a little bit of a restyle slash rename.

Rogue

n.

One who is playfully mischievous; a scamp.

adj.

Operating outside normal or desirable controls.

 

Playfully mischievous, doesn't that sound like fun? Also, its a little bit of a wordplay on Vogue (god I'm witty) - you know. Rogue. Vogue. They write about stuff, I write about stuff. Basically twins.

 

Operating outside normal or desireable controls? Well, I reckon that sounds like fun too. Pushing boundaries. Scaring yourself once in a while, I'm up for that. Operating outside the norm - or at least not feeling you have to operate within the norm - is boss.

 

Lets play. Lets be mischievous. Lets operate outside the norm. Come with me?

Libraphilia.

The love of libraries. Its one of those things you either have or you dont, and I most definately do. I love books, both for their meaning and the physicality (you know that smell? the musty, secretive, warm smell) and I love quiet, big warm spaces, so libraries are kindof my Mecca. Whilst my love for the Sydney Jones is temperamental, I feel like it would be impossible not to read in one of these babies...

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The Old Library, Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-Generaal Den Hague, Netherlands

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Abbey Library St. Gallen, Switzerland

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Strahov Monastery - Theological Library, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stiftsbibliothek Klosterneuburg, Klosterneuburg, Austria

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Stockholm Public Library, Sweden

ADORE you!

That time of year is coming again folks... the day in Febuary which brings the full spectrum of emotions, from joy to nerves to being wracked with personal doubt... PANCAKE DAY! No, I am actually talking about Valentines Day, of course. Now, personally, I've never been a fan - pink hearts and sickly cuddly toys are not my idea of expressing love, and the whole thing does just seem a bit naff - and most people I speak to agree with me. Why then, is there still that little part of us that dreads this day?

Stab in the dark here - but I think its because, no matter how confident you are, how happy with your life - theres still a part of a lot of people who want that to be validated by someone else. We're told we ought to by that mean old, ever recurring media dragon. And maybe there's nothing wrong with that - we are, after all, biological creatures of mating. But good God, what if that person - someone who makes you feel great about yourself just hasnt come along yet? Does that mean you just have to glum along until they rock up?

No! The age old adage of loving yourself really and truly is key here I think. It might sound a little contrived at first, because its something we've heard so many times before, but just stop and think about it.

 

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You are the most important person in your life. And no, that doesnt make you a bad person, nor selfish. How do you expect to look after others, make others happy if you're in no fit state yourself? You can't silly billy, you'll run out of juice. You are the one who is always going to be there for yourself - the one who remembers the first heartbreak, all your favourite fims, which toothpaste you like. And I genuinely believe that if you dont show yourself love, you can't expect anyone else to do so.

Thus, my proposition is as follows -

This Valentines Day, take yourself on a date. Buy yourself some flowers, run yourself a big hot bath and pour a glass of wine. Put on Peep Show and have a beer - whatever you'd like someone else to do for you, whatever you consider to be romantic. Romance yourself! Its not lame, you are glorious! The very fact that you're alive, that you are a living and breathing and thinking and feeling being is amazing!

Ideas for how to Adore You!

1 - Write yourself a love letter. Write all the things you love about yourself, all the reasons you respect you, admire you. And if you dont feel it, bluff! Post it to yourself, second class, and feel good when it arrives and you read it back.

2 - Treat yourself to some sexy lingerie. Literally - nothing will make you feel sexier. I'm talking stockings, heels, lace, the full sheabang ladies.

3 - (For the brave!) Go for a meal - on your own. Book a table, and do not take your computer. A book is fine, but this is not work time. Order yourself something you'll really enjoy, and pay attention to what you're thinking - its rude not to listen to other people, and its rude not to listen to yourself.

4 - Look at yourself in the mirror - really look. Compliment yourself. Believe it.

5 - Masturbate. End of.

6 - Look after yourself - you wouldn't feed a child crap, you wouldnt want your loved one to come home drunk off their face every night. You only get one body, and it is incredible; you need it to carry you through life, so look after it.

7 - Snuggle up in bed, and laze. Wheth ever that means watching tv, reading or just daydreaming, don't ever feel guilty for taking time out.

8 - Make yourself do that thing you've been putting off. Encourage yourself - salsa lessons? Pottery? Going to a museum?

9 - Write BEAUTIFUL on your mirror in red lipstick. Feels like a film, feels great.

10 - Spend money on yourself. My mum has a practice where the first thing she does when she gets paid is to buy something for herself - something small, a lipstick or book. She says it makes her feel like she's getting something for herself out of how hard she works, and its so easy for the rest of it to run away with bills and food shopping and us lovely offspring! My mum is off the chain.

How will you start adoring yourself my adorable and wonderful wonderfuls?!

The Versatile Blogger Award

Its always so nice to have your work recognised, especially when its by one of your peers, so I was very excited when VildesVerden chose me to give the award to! Its basically a big old bag of blog to blog (try saying that after a pinot) love - which is so refreshing in a world so competitive!

I'm not entirely sure why its 'versatile' - maybe because it can go to any type of blog? Or is it named after someone? I dont know, but hey! The idea is that I now tell you seven lesser known facts about myself, and then pass on the award to seven blogs I think are great. Isn't it great to share the love? So here we go...

1 - I have hyperextended, hyperflexible joints. That means I am very bendy, but my knees get sore a lot!
2 - My favourite cities are Edinburgh, Venice and Vienna, and I cannot possibly choose between them.
3 - I'm on my University Cheerleading squad and stunt team, where I'm a backspot.
4 - The most expensive bag I ever bought was from the Cambridge Satchel Company - and it was so worth it.
5 - I sometimes work as an extra on Hollyoakes - if you watch, look out for me!
6 - My dream was to be a ballet dancer, but I'm too tall, my knees are too bad and I started too late.
7 - My original blog inspiration was Gala Darling, and I still love her.

Its harder than it seems to think of things to say about yourself! So, here are the blogs I'd like to pass the award onto, and I think you should check them out!

1 - Be My Breath - because the girl who writes this is one of the best people I know, and because her blog has lots of lovely inspiring and pretty snippets of life!

2 - Color Me Katie - because her art work and photos are beyond cute.

3 - The Man Repeller - because she's awesome, and her blog is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time!

4 - Today I learnt to Whistle - because her writing always provokes my thoughts, and she takes pictures what are nice.

5 - Waking up in Waco - because she provides funny anecdotes and advice on student life across the pond, and I love to compare!

6 - Nasty Cute - because if you havent already seen this, you need to. Its FUNNY.

7 - Daily Pep Talk From A Best Friend - because some days, this is exactly what I need.

Go, go look now! You'll have yourself a time.

Inspired doesn't even cover it.

Today on Twitter, I found a very despondant tweet from my lovely friend Millie - "Overwhelmed by the feeling that nothing makes a difference". Now Millie is one of the most active and passionate people I know, and for her to be down really made me think about how frustrating life can be sometimes, how sometimes it feels like you're just banging your head against a brick wall, or that the whole world is against you. I promise you that the littlest things you can do to make the world a better place are making a difference, the world is constantly changing and reshaping, and its actions both small and large that make that change for the better. And no, its not always easy. Here are some women who made a huge difference, that history somehow forgot... absolutely inspiring, beautiful, pioneering, amazing.

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Irena Sendler (1910-2008) saved around 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto in the Second World War. Despite being captured and tortured by the Gestapo, she never revealed the identities of the children (who are now grown and living full lives) or her accomplices. She escaped after one of her guards was bribed, and was later nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

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Rosalind Franklin is arguably the most important woman in science ever, yet most of us have never heard her name. She was a key player in the team that unravelled DNA, the team that won a Nobel Peace Prize for it in 1962 - but Rosalind had died in 1958, aged just 37, after battling ovarian cancer. The NPP is never awardes posthumously, so Rosalind went entirely unacknowledged until 1968, when her colleagues publicly recognised her hard work.

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Murasaki Shikubu (c.978-1030 approx) wrote The Tale of Genji, which some say was the first great novel, and others say was the first novel, period. She wrote it (basically inventing the art form of the novel) after her husband died, leaving her a single parent. Tragically, due to her time, very little is known about her, but her novel survives as a literary masterpiece.

You CAN make a difference!!