More of the 100 Women I Admire Most

6. Christine Manavilla - mother, artist, author and a woman who suffers from M.S. Christine is one of the women I admire most because she is beautiful, strong, talented and chooses to live her life on her own terms, even in the midst of having to deal with the many problems associated with M.S. In addition to being a teacher, she designs her own jewelry (very beautiful), has had two books published - and is working on a third - and is a tireless advocate for the handicapped. She's also got a wonderful sense of humor, is a great mom and a good friend. Here is a link to Amazon.fr where you can get her books: http://www.amazon.fr/Vivre-Malgr%C3%A9-Tout-Manavella-Christine/dp/2878676661

7. Denise Mafi - Denise has been my friend for a really long time - longer, we realized the other day, than either of us wanted to remember! Denise is an advocate for low-income mothers, and is an amazing organizer. She wrote the book (literally) on doing freezer cooking and pinching a penny until it cries uncle. As the mother of four growing kids, she knows all the secrets to feeding a family delicious, nutritious food on a budget. Due to her husband's work, she spends most of her time raising her kids alone, and I've always said that she is the only married single mother I know. Faced with a growing series of health problems, she nonetheless manages to homeschool her kids, stay active in her community and maintain a positive and upbeat outlook on life.

8. Katharine Hepburn - She was an actress whose work I enjoyed very much, but I also admired her gutsy independence, sharp wit and sense of humor.